A word in two languages that shares meaning, spelling, and pronunciation is called a(n):

A word in two languages that shares meaning, spelling, and pronunciation is called a(n):

• A. False cognates
• B. Cognates
• C. Homographs
• D. Loanwords

Answer: (B)

Cognates are words in different languages that come from the same ancestor or have been borrowed with little change, so they share similar meaning, spelling, and often pronunciation. When you find a word in two languages that looks almost the same, sounds similar, and means the same thing, you’re looking at cognates. This is why the pair described in the question fits cognates—the two words align across meaning and form across languages. False cognates would trip you up because they look or sound alike but don’t share meaning. Homographs are about same-spelling words within one language that can have different meanings or pronunciations. Loanwords are borrowed terms; they may resemble the source language but aren’t guaranteed to keep identical spelling or pronunciation or meaning.

Cognates are words in different languages that come from the same ancestor or have been borrowed with little change, so they share similar meaning, spelling, and often pronunciation. When you find a word in two languages that looks almost the same, sounds similar, and means the same thing, you’re looking at cognates. This is why the pair described in the question fits cognates—the two words align across meaning and form across languages.

False cognates would trip you up because they look or sound alike but don’t share meaning. Homographs are about same-spelling words within one language that can have different meanings or pronunciations. Loanwords are borrowed terms; they may resemble the source language but aren’t guaranteed to keep identical spelling or pronunciation or meaning.