Madrileño in the Boardroom
Strategic English for the Global Professional in Madrid
Title: «Actualmente» vs. «Actually» – Navigating False Friends in the International Boardroom
Imagine you are in a high-stakes meeting with an international client and you want to explain what your company is doing right now. You say, «Actually, we are expanding our operations.» You think you’ve said «Actualmente…», but your client hears, «In reality/As a matter of fact, we are expanding.»
Linguistic misunderstandings like this happen daily in multinational companies across Madrid. In business, using a false friend can lead to missed deadlines, misaligned expectations, or awkward professional moments. Here are three high-friction business «false friends» you need to eliminate from your vocabulary today.
Pretend vs. Intend (Pretender vs. Tener la intención de)
This is arguably the most dangerous false friend in a corporate negotiation or project kick-off.
- • The Mistake: In Spanish, «Pretendemos aumentar las ventas un 10%» means you plan or aim to do it. However, if you say «We pretend to increase sales,» an English speaker thinks you are feigning, faking, or playing make-believe.
- • The Correction: Use intend, aim, or plan.
- • Boardroom Example: «We intend to launch the new software update by Q3.»
Compromise vs. Commitment (Compromiso vs. Obligación/Acuerdo)
How do you describe a firm dedication to a project versus a middle-ground agreement?
- • The Mistake: When a Madrileño talks about a professional «compromiso», they usually mean a dedicated obligation or responsibility. But in English, a compromise means a concession where both sides give up something to reach an agreement (un pacto de mínimos).
- • The Correction: For dedication, use commitment. For a client obligation, use agreement or obligation.
- • Boardroom Example: «Our team has a strong commitment to meeting this deadline, but we need to reach a compromise with the client regarding the final budget.»
Assist vs. Attend (Asistir a una reunión)
This one causes major calendar confusion in international offices.
- • The Mistake: If your boss asks who is going to the networking event in London and you say, «I will assist the event,» they will expect you to help organize it, set up the chairs, or pour the coffee.
- • The Correction: You attend an event or a meeting (you are a participant). You assist a person (you help them).
- • Boardroom Example: «I will attend the board meeting tomorrow to assist the CEO with the financial presentation.»
| Spanish Professional Word |
The Mistake (What NOT to say) |
The Professional English Word |
What it actually means in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actualmente | Actually | Currently / At present | Actually means «in reality» or «in fact.» |
| Pretender | Pretend | Intend / Plan / Aim | Pretend means to fake or simulate something. |
| Asistir (a un evento) | Assist | Attend | Assist means to help or give aid to someone. |
| Compromiso (Lealtad) | Compromise | Commitment / Obligation | Compromise means a mutual concession/ pacto. |
¿Tus traducciones literales están jugando en tu contra?
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