If you’re learning Spanish, beware of false friends—those tricky words that look similar in English and Spanish but have very different meanings. One common example is:
👉 asesorar ≠ to assess
Let’s break it down so you don’t mix them up in conversation, especially in professional or academic settings.
📌 What does asesorar mean in Spanish?
The verb asesorar means:
- To advise
- To give guidance
- To offer consulting
🗣️ Example:
- La abogada va a asesorar a los nuevos clientes.
(The lawyer is going to advise the new clients.)
So, if someone says “voy a asesorarte”, they’re offering advice, not an evaluation.
❌ What it does not mean:
Asesorar does NOT mean “to assess.”
In English, to assess means to evaluate, measure, or judge something—completely different from giving advice.
✅ How do you say to assess in Spanish?
Depending on what you’re assessing, Spanish has different verbs:
| English | Spanish Equivalent | Example in Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| To assess a situation | evaluar | Tenemos que evaluar la situación con calma. |
| To assess damages | valorar | El técnico va a valorar los daños del vehículo. |
| To assess performance | evaluar / medir | Vamos a evaluar su rendimiento en el trabajo. |
| To assess a student’s work | calificar / evaluar | La profesora ya empezó a calificar los exámenes. |
🧠 Quick Comparison:
- asesorar = to advise
- evaluar / valorar / calificar = to assess
Don’t confuse them just because they look similar!
False friends can lead to funny (or confusing!) moments. Remember:
❌ Asesorar ≠ To assess
✅ Asesorar = To advise
✅ To assess = Evaluar / valorar / calificar
Use the right verb based on the context, and you’ll avoid misunderstandings—especially in medical, legal, or academic settings.
