Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Vocabulary/English-French-False-Cognates"
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<div class="pg_page_title">150+ English/French False Cognates (False Friends)</div> | <div class="pg_page_title">150+ English/French False Cognates (False Friends)</div> | ||
[[File:french-english-FALSE-cognates-list-polyglotclub.jpg|thumb]] | |||
The term “faux-ami” (or "false friend", "false cognates") refers to a word that looks like French but in reality has a very different meaning. Considered a real trap when learning French, false friends can very easily mislead an English speaker during conversations with French speakers. We have listed the main meaning of these false friends in English; each definition of course depends on the context in which it is used. | The term “faux-ami” (or "false friend", "false cognates") refers to a word that looks like French but in reality has a very different meaning. Considered a real trap when learning French, false friends can very easily mislead an English speaker during conversations with French speakers. We have listed the main meaning of these false friends in English; each definition of course depends on the context in which it is used. | ||
Revision as of 13:26, 27 January 2023
150+ English/French False Cognates (False Friends)
The term “faux-ami” (or "false friend", "false cognates") refers to a word that looks like French but in reality has a very different meaning. Considered a real trap when learning French, false friends can very easily mislead an English speaker during conversations with French speakers. We have listed the main meaning of these false friends in English; each definition of course depends on the context in which it is used.
Here is a list of more than 150 false friends in English that you need to know!
English | French | Not to be confused with | Translation in English |
---|---|---|---|
Actually | En fait, en réalité | Actuellement | Now, at present, currently |
Advertisement | Publicité | Avertissement | Warning |
affair | une aventure, une liaison | une affaire | business, matter (law) |
Affluence | Richesse | Affluence | Rush |
Agenda | Programme, ordre du jour | Agenda | Diary (UK), Schedule (US) |
Ancient | Ancien | Ancien | former, old, ancient |
Announcer | Présentateur | Annonceur | Advertiser |
Apology | Excuses | Apologie | Praise, vindication |
Bachelor | Célibataire | Bachelier | Graduate |
Balance | Equilibre | Balance | Scales |
Baskets | Panier | Baskets | Trainers (UK), sneakers (US) |
Benefit | Avantage | Bénéfice | Profit |
Bio | Biographie | Bio | Organic |
blanket | une couverture | blanquette | veal stew |
bra | un soutien-gorge | un bras | arm |
brilliant | génial, super | brillant(e) | bright, shiny |
Brushing | Brossage | Brushing | Blow dry, a perm |
camera | un appareil photo | une caméra | video camera |
car | une voiture | un car | coach, bus |
Caution | Prudence | Caution | Guarantee |
caution | la prudence | une caution | bail, guarantee |
Cave | Grotte | Cave | Cellar |
Chair | Chaise | Chaire | Flesh |
Chance | Opportunité | Chance | Luck |
Character | Personnage | Caractère | Nature |
Chat | Discuter | Chat | Cat |
chips [UK] | des frites | des chips | crisps [UK] |
Close | Proche | Serré(e) | Closed |
coach | un autocar, un car | un coach | trainer, coach |
coin | une pièce, une pièce de monnaie | un coin | corner |
College | Université | Collège | High-school |
Commodity | Marchandise | Commodité | Convenience |
commodity | une marchandise, un article | la commodité | convenience, usefulness |
Competition | Concurrence | Compétition | Tournament, sporting event |
competition | la concurrence | une compétition | tournament |
Comprehensive | Complet | Compréhensif.ive | Understanding |
comprehensive | complet(ète), exhaustif(ve) | compréhensive | understanding |
concurrence | une concomitance, une coïncidence | la concurrence | competition |
Conductor | Contrôleur | Conducteur.trice | Driver |
Confection | Friandise | Confection | Clothes manufacturing |
Confidence | Confiance | Confidence | Secret |
Copy | Exemplaire | Copie | Reproduction |
Corpse | Cadavre | Corps | Body |
current | actuel, en cours | courant | common, ordinary, usual |
currently | actuellement | couramment | commonly, frequently |
deception | une tromperie, une supercherie | une déception | disappointment, disillusion |
Delay | Retard | Délai | Time limit, deadline |
Demand | Exiger | Demander | To ask |
Designer | Créateur de mode | Désigner | To appoint, to name |
Disappointment | Déception | Deception | Tromperie |
Dispute | Conflict | Dispute | Argument, quarrel |
douche | une poire ou douche vaginale | une douche | shower |
dramatic | tthéâtral(e), spectaculaire | dramatique | terrible, tragic |
Engaged | Occupé(e) | Engagé(e) | Committed |
engaged | fiancé(e) | engagé(e) | committed, involved |
entrée [US] | le plat principal, le plat de résistance | une entrée | starter, first course [US] |
Estate | Domaine | Etat | State, condition |
eventually | finalement, pour finir | éventuellement | possibly, potentially |
Evidence | Preuve | Evidence | Obviousness |
evidence | un indice, une preuve | une évidence | forgone conclusion, obvious |
Fabric | Tissu | Fabrique | Manufacture(r) |
face | le visage, la figure | une face | side, face |
Facilities | Installations, équipements | Facilité | Ease |
Figure | Silhouette; chiffre | Figure | Face |
formidable | redoutable, impressionnant | formidable | astounding, terrific |
Fortunate | Chanceux | Fortuné(e) | Wealthy, rich |
frippery | des frivolités | une friperie | second hand clothes store |
genial | sympa, aimable | génial(e) | brilliant, of genius |
Gentle | Aimable | Gentil.le | Nice, kind |
Grand | Grandiose | Grand | Tall, big |
grape | le raisin, la vigne | une grappe | bunch, cluster |
Grapes | Raisins | Grappe | Bunch (of grapes) |
Grave | Tombe | Grave | Serious |
Habit | Habitude | Habit | Clothes |
Hazard | Danger | Hasard | Chance, coincidence |
Issue | Problème | Issue | Outcome, exit |
jolly | joyeux(euse), gai(e) | joli | pretty, attractive |
journey | un voyage, un trajet | une journée | day, daytime |
Lecture | Conférence | Lecture | Reading |
Library | Bibliothèque | Librairie | Bookshop (UK), bookstore (US) |
Location | Emplacement | Location | Rental |
location | un lieu | la location | rental, renting, hire |
main | principal(e) | une main | hand |
Mariage | Vie conjugale | Mariage | Wedding |
Medicine | Médicament | Médecin | Doctor |
memory | un souvenir, des souvenirs | mémoire | memory, recollection |
Mercy | Miséricorde | Merci | Thanks |
Miserable | Malheureux | Misérable | Poor, unfortunate |
misery | une grande tristesse, la détresse | la misère | extreme poverty, impoverishment |
money | l'argent | la monnaie | change, currency |
Notice | Avertissement, préavis | Notice | Instructions, precautions |
Novel | Roman | Nouvelle | Short story |
opportunity | une occasion, une possibilité, un moment opportun | une opportunité | appropriateness, opportuneness |
Pain | Douleur | Pain | Bread |
party | une fête, une réception | une partie | part, section |
patron | un mécène (art) or un parrain/une marraine (event) | un patron | boss |
petite | menue, très mince | petite | small, short |
Photograph | Photographie | Photographe | Photographer |
Phrase | Expression | Phrase | Sentence |
Prejudice | Préjugé | Préjudice | Damage |
Preservative | Agent conservateur | Préservatif | Condom |
Proper | Adéquat, correct | Propre | Clean |
race | une course (horses, cars, etc.) | une race | breed |
relative | un parent, un membre de la famille | relatif(ve) | related to, linked with, regarding |
Relief | Soulagement | Relief | Mountainous area |
Rest | Se reposer | Rester | To stay |
Resume | CV | Résumer | To sum up |
Retard (slang, insult) | Attardé, débile | Retard | Delay |
Reunion | Retrouvailles | Réunion | Meeting |
Route | Itinéraire | Route | Road |
Rude | Grossier | Rude | Rough, hard |
sale | une vente, les soldes | sale | dirty |
Sensible | Raisonnable | Sensible | Sensitive |
sentence | une phrase | une sentence | sentence (trial) |
slip | une glissade | un slip | pants, underpants |
Society | Société | Société | Company |
Stage | Etape | Stage | Internship |
Stationery | Fournitures de bureau | Stationnaire | Stable, stationary |
Store | Magasin | Store | Blind |
Supplier | Fournisseur | Supplier | To beg, to plead |
Surname | Nom de famille | Surnom | Nickname |
Sympathetic | Compatissant | Sympathique | Friendly |
Tape | Ruban, bande | Taper | To slap, to smack |
tentative | timide, hésitant(e) | une tentative | attempt, try |
the news | les infos, les informations | les nouvelles | piece of news (event, person) |
To abuse | Insulter | Abuser | To take advantage of |
To accommodate | Loger | Accommoder | To prepare |
To achieve | Réaliser | Achever | To complete, to accomplish |
To assist | Aider | Assister | To attend |
to attend | assister, participer | attendre | to wait |
to bless | bénir | blesser | to wound, to injure, to hurt |
To charge | Faire payer | Charger | To load |
To check | Contrôler | Chèque | Cheque (UK), Check (US) |
to choke | s'étouffer | choquer | to shock |
To contemplate | Envisager | Contempler | To gaze at |
To cry | Pleurer | Crier | To scream, to shout |
To deceive | Tromper | Décevoir | To disappoint |
to demand | exiger | demander | to ask |
To dispose | Se débarrasser | Disposer | To arrange |
To experience | Ressentir, éprouver | Expérimenter | To experiment |
to injure | blesser, se blesser | injurier | to insult |
to introduce | présenter, faire les présentations | introduire | to insert |
to pass an examen | réussir un examen, être reçu(e) à un examen | passer un exam | to take an exam |
To pass un exam | Réussir un examen | Passer un examen | To take an exam |
To pretend | Faire semblant | Prétendre | To claim |
To prevent | Empêcher | Prévenir | To warn |
To recover | Se rétablir, se remettre | Recouvrir | To cover |
To regard | Considérer | Regarder | To look at |
To relieve | Soulager | Relever | To raise |
to rest | se reposer | rester | to stay, to remain |
To retire | Prendre sa retraite | Se retirer | To withdraw |
to survey | mener une enquête, faire un sondage, interroger | surveiller | to supervise, to watch, to monitor |
Vacation | Vacances | Vacation | Session, shift |
Wagon | Chariot | Wagon | Carriage |