Have you spotted a word in French that looks similar to a word we have in the English language? Beware, all may not be quite as it seems!
There are examples of ‘faux amis’ or ‘false friends’, which are words in a foreign language which resemble words in one’s own language but have a different meaning.
We’ve popped together our A to Z (or rather A to V) of the most common ‘faux amis’ to ensure your language learners don’t get themselves into any sticky situations.
French word |
English meaning |
English resemblance |
French translation |
| actuel | current, present | actual | réel, exact |
| agenda | diary | agenda | ordre du jour (de réunion) |
| allure | pace, speed; appearance; style | allure | attrait, charme |
| avertissement | warning | advertisement | publicité |
| balance | scales (for weighing) | balance | équilibre |
| bribes | fragments | bribes | pots-de-vin |
| car | coach | car | voiture |
| cave | cellar | cave | grotte |
| chair | flesh | chair | chaise, fauteuil, siège |
| chance | luck | chance | hasard |
| coin | corner | coin | pièce (de monnaie) |
| déception | disappointment | deception | tromperie, duperie |
| demander | to ask for | demand | exiger |
| éventuellement | possibly, if necessary | eventually | finalement |
| fabrique | factory | fabric | tissu |
| formidable | great, terrific, fantastic | formidable | redoutable; impressionnant |
| gentil | kind, nice, likeable | gentle | doux |
| journée | day | journey | voyage |
| lecture | reading (matter) | lecture | cours magistral |
| librairie | bookshop | library | bibliothèque |
| monnaie | change (coins) | money | argent |
| patron | boss | patron | client |
| procès | trial | process | processus |
| prune | plum | prune | pruneau |
| prétendre | to claim | pretend | faire semblant |
| quitter | to leave | quit | arrêter, cesser |
| raisin | grape | raisin | raisin sec |
| rester | to stay | rest | se reposer |
| sensible | sensitive | sensible | sensible = raisonnable |
| stage | (training) course | stage | stade; (Theat) scène |
| sympathique | nice, pleasant | sympathetic | compatissant, compréhensif |
| tissu | fabric, material | tissue | mouchoir en papier |
| veste | jacket, coat US | vest | maillot de corps |
Source : http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/difficulties-in-french-false-friends-and-franglais