It is not uncommon that some Spanish words have two different English equivalents.
Probably you know by now that sometimes Spanish words have 2, sometimes even more, English meanings depending on the situation or context we are using them on, and that is what we are talking about today, we are going to see 5 Spanish words with two different English equivalents, and I am pretty sure some of them will surprise you.
I love this subject because I find fascinating that one word can have two sometimes totally opposite meanings. Ok, I guess you are keen to get started so let’s dive in!

Spanish words with two English equivalents
1-HOJA
It can be a leaf, and also sheet.
Los árboles pierden sus hojas en otoño–Trees lose their leaves in autumn
Tengo muchas hojas en blanco en mi cuaderno – I have lots of sheets left on my notebook
2-LENGUA
Lengua can be translated as language, which also could be idioma in Spanish 😊 but lengua can also be the part of the human body inside our mouths, tongue.
Mi primo puede hablar cinco lenguas–My cousin can speak five languages.
Las vacas tienen la lengua muy larga–Cows have a very long tongue.
3-GATO
I am sure you know the meaning that refers an animal, because yes, gato is cat, but it is also the tool we use when we need to lift our car a jack.
La gente dice que los gatos negros dan mala suerte–People say that black cats are bac luck
Espero no tener un pinchazo nunca porque no tengo ni idea de usar el gato-I hope I never have a falt tyre, because I have no idea how to use the Jack.
4-TIERRA
Tierra can be Earth, as we refer to planet Earth as Planeta Tierra, and also the ground where we can plant, soil
La Tierra gira alrededor del Sol–Earth goes around the sun
No puedo plantar hoy porque la tierra está muy mojada-I can’t plant today because the soil is very wet (no idea if that is true or not as I don’t grow anything, but as an example…I think it works 😊)
5-SIRENA
Sirena can be the siren in some vehicles when they need to go fast or the half fish half person that lives in the sea, a mermaid
Esta mañana me ha despertado el sonido de una sirena en mi calle–This morning I was woken up by the sound of a siren in my street.
Las leyendas cuentan que las sirenas cantaban para traer a los marineros–Leyends tell that mermaids used to sing to attract sailors.
And that is It my friend, 5 Spanish words with different meanings depending on the context, as usual I hope you enjoyed this blog and learnt something new. If you enjoy my blogs and you would like to say gracias by buying me a coffee you can doing so herehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/fpVa2ms
And before we part ways today a couple of things.
First of all I would love to hear from you so I will appreciate if you leave a comment below and let me know:
1-did you know the meaning of all the words we saw today?
2-What meaning is your favourite (meaning the one that surprise you the most, put a smile on your face etc. any reason is good)?
3-do you know any other Spanish words with more than one meaning in English? Write them so your fellow students can learn new words!
And lastly but not less important, a reminder of my YouTube channel where you can watch today’s lesson in video format, as always, the video is in Spanish, but now that you know what I am talking about it it might be a good listening practice, so…give it a go in the following link https://youtu.be/_nyVgmznGbE
Ahora, the only thing I have left is to wish you a fantastic day!
See you next week!
