Those words that look the same or almost the same as English, French, or Italian words but have different meanings are called Cognates. However, such words aren't the only dangerous ones for those who believe (usually correctly) that knowing English, French or Italian gives them a heard start on Spanish vocabulary. For instance "salir" means in Spanish "to go out", but in Italian "to go up".

The partial cognates exist as well, but particularly relevant in English idiom. These are words that are roughly synonymous with English words but have a different connotation, or that are synonymous some of the time but not always. These words can be confusing to anyone with a knowledge of English who is speaking Spanish as a second language. For example "Acción", it is usually synonymous with "action" in its various meanings. But to a stock broker it can also mean a "share," and to an artist it can be "posture" or "pose".

Here below some of most common partial cognates are highlighted:

Aparente It can mean "apparent". However, the Spanish usually carries a strong implication that things aren't what they appear to be. Thus, "aparentemente fue a la tienda" would usually be understood not as "he apparently went to the store" but as "it appeared like he had gone to the store but he didn't". Apología But it is synonymous with the English word "apology" only when it means "a defense," as in a defense of the faith. An apology in the usual sense of the word is excusa or disculpa. Arena In sports, arena can refer to an arena. But it is more used as the word for "sand". Colegio It can refer to almost any school, not just ones that provides university-level classes. Conducir It can mean "to conduct" or  "to conduct oneself". But it more often means "to drive" or "to transport". For that reason, a conductor on a train (or other vehicle) is the person in the driving seat, not someone who handles tickets. Confidencia Its meaning is related to "confidence" as a secret. If you're referring to trust in someone, confianza would be more appropriate. Criatura It means "creature" or "being," including humans. But it is also commonly used to refer to babies and even to fetuses. Demandar As a legal term only, demandar and the noun form, "la demanda", are similar to the English "demand". But to demand something in a less formal situation, use exigir or exigencia. Dirección It means "direction" in most of the ways it is used in English. But the most common way is referring to a postal address. Etiqueta It can refer to etiquette and the requirements of formality. It more frequently means "tag" or "label". The verb form, etiquetar, means "to label". En efecto It can mean "in effect". But it also can mean "in fact". Familiar The adjective is more closely connected with the meaning of "family" than in English. Often a better word to use for something you're familiar with is conocido ("known") or común ("common"). Habitual It often does mean "habitual". But it can refer to something that is normal, typical or customary. Historia It is obviously related to "history" but it is also similar to "story". Honesto It can mean "honest". But honesto and its negative form, deshonesto, more often have sexual overtones, meaning "chaste" and "lewd," or "slutty," respectively. Better words for "honest" are honrado and sincero. Intentar Like the English cognate, it can mean to plan or want to do something. But it is frequently used to indicate more than a mental state, referring to an actual attempt. It is often a good translation for "to try". Intoxicado, intoxicar These words refer to almost any kind of poisoning. To refer specifically to the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, use borracho or any number of slang terms. Introducir This verb can be translated as, among other things, "to introduce" in the sense of "to bring in," "to begin," "to put" or "to place". But it's not the verb to use to introduce someone. For that purpose, use presentar. Marcar While it usually means "to mark" in some way, it also can mean "to dial" a telephone, "to score" in a game, and "to notice". Marca is most often "brand" (with origins similar to "trademark"), while marco can be a "window frame" or "picture frame". Misería It more often carries the connotation of extreme poverty than does "misery". Oscuro It can mean "obscure," but it more often means "dark". Parientes All of one's relatives are parientes in Spanish, not just parents. To refer to parents specifically, use padres. Petición "petition" as a noun most often means a list of names or a legal demand of some sort. Petición (among other words) can be used as a Spanish translation in such cases, but most often petición refers to almost any kind of request. Probar It can mean "to probe" or "to test". But it is frequently used to mean "to taste" or "to try on" clothes. Profundo It can have some of the meanings of the English "profound". But it more often meens "deep". Propaganda The Spanish word can have the negative implications of the English word, but it often doesn't, simply meaning "advertising". Punto "Point" often works as a translation of this word, but it also has a variety of other meanings such as "dot," a type of stitch, "belt hole," "cog," "opportunity," and "taxi stand". Rentar In some areas of Latin America, rentar can mean "to rent". But it also has a more common meaning, "to yield a profit". Similarly, the most common meaning of rentable is "profitable". Rodeo In the right context, it means "rodeo," although there are differences between the typical rodeos of the United State and of Mexico. But it can also mean an encirclement, a stockyard, or an indirect path. Figuratively, it can mean an evasive reply, a "beating around the bush". Soportar It can be translated as "to support" in some usages, it is better translated as "to tolerate" or "to endure". Verbs meaning "to support" are sostener or aguantar in the sense of supporting weight, something, and apoyar or ayudar in the sense of supporting a friend. Suburbio Both "suburbs" and suburbios can refer to areas outside a city proper, but in Spanish the word usually has a negative connotation, referring to slums. A more neutral word to refer to suburbs is las afueras. Típico It usually means "typical," but it doesn't have the negative connotation that it often has. Also, típico often means something along the lines of "traditional" or "having the characteristics of the local area". Thus, a restaurant offering comidas típicas means food that is characteristic for the region, not merely "typical" food. Tortilla In Spanish, the word can refer not only to a tortilla but also to an omelet. Último Something that is the best can be referred to as lo último, but it more commonly means "last" or "most recent". Vicioso It is sometimes translated as "vicious," but it more often means "depraved" or simply "faulty". Violar, violador It can have a sexual connotation more often than they do in English. While in English a violator may simply be someone who drives too fast, in Spanish a violador is a rapist.