filesvsfisWhat's the difference?

Which to use

“files” and “fis” are a confusable Spanish pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.

#32,668
“files” frequency rank
#37,094
“fis” frequency rank
69762
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature files fis
Definition Segunda persona del singular (tú) del presente de subjuntivo de filar. Primera persona del singular (je) del pretérito perfecto simple de indicativo de faire.

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set files and fis apart are highlighted. They share 3 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

5 ch
files
3 ch
fis

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

A purely visual mix-up. files ([ˈfiles]) and fis ([fi]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 2 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 69762, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

files is recorded at frequency rank #32,668, classified as averb, pronounced [ˈfiles]. fis is at rank #37,094, tagged as averb, pronounced [fi].

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 69762, this pair ranks #31,247 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - among the most confusable pairs.

Orthographic DNA of files vs fis

Shared letters: fis. Private to "files": el. Private to "fis": -.

"files" · 5 letters · shape CVCVC  ·  "fis" · 3 letters · shape CVC

Known mistypes of this pair

  • filesffiles · fiels · filess · filles · filse · flies · ifles

Frequency comparison

files#32,668
fis#37,094

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "files" and "fis" be used interchangeably?
No. They are said differently ([ˈfiles] versus [fi]) and carry different meanings; reading the sentence aloud is usually enough to catch the wrong one.
Which is more common, "files" or "fis"?
"files" is the more common of the two: it sits at frequency rank #32,668 in our Spanish list, against #37,094 for "fis". The two are close in frequency, so neither is a safe default; check the meaning rather than guessing.

Remembering files vs fis

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “files” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list