French English False Cognates - Faux amis

French and English have hundreds of cognates (words which look and/or are pronounced alike in the two languages), including true (similar meanings), false (different meanings), and semi-false (some similar and some different meanings). My alphabetized list of hundreds of false cognates can be a bit unwieldy, so here is an abridged version of the most common false cognates in French and English.

Finalement vs Finally

Finalement means eventually or in the end, while finally is enfin or en dernier lieu.

Football vs Football

Le football, or le foot, refers to soccer (in American English). In the US, football = le football américain.

Formidable vs Formidable

Formidable is an interesting word, because it means great or terrific; almost the opposite of the English. Ce film est formidable ! - This is a great movie!

Formidable in English means dreadful or fearsome: The opposition is formidable - L'opposition est redoutable/effrayante.

Gentil vs Gentle

Gentil usually means nice or kind: Il a un gentil mot pour chacun - He has a kind word for everyone. It can also mean good, as in il a été gentil - he was a good boy.

Gentle can also mean kind, but in the more physical sense of soft or not rough. It can be translated by doux, aimable, modéré, or léger: He is gentle with his hands - Il a la main douce. A gentle breeze - une brise légère.

Gratuité vs Gratuity

Gratuité refers to anything that is given for free: la gratuité de l'éducation - free education, while a gratuity is un pourboire or une gratification.

Gros vs Gross

Gros means big, fat, heavy, or serious: un gros problème - a big/serious problem, and Gross means grossier, fruste, or (informally) dégueullasse.

Ignorer vs Ignore

Ignorer is a semi-false cognate. It nearly always means to be ignorant or unaware of something: j'ignore tout de cette affaire - I know nothing about this business.

To ignore means to deliberately not pay attention to someone or something. The usual translations are ne tenir aucun compte de, ne pas relever, and ne pas prêter attention à.

Librairie vs Library

Une librairie refers to a bookstore, while library in French is une bibliothèque.

Monnaie vs Money

La monnaie can refer to currency, coin(age), or change, and money is the general term for argent.

Napkin vs Napkin

Un napkin refers to a sanitary napkin. A napkin is correctly translated by une serviette.

Occasion vs Occasion

Occasion refers to a(n) occasion, circumstance, opportunity, or second-hand purchase. Une chemise d'occasion = a second-hand or used shirt. Avoir l'occasion de means to have a/the chance to: Je n'avais pas l'occasion de lui parler - I didn't have a chance to talk to him.

An occasion is une occasion, un événement, or un motif.


More French-English false cognates:
Page 1: Actuellement/Actually to Collège/College
Page 2: Commander/Command to Expérience/Experience
Page 3: Finalement/Finally to Occasion
Page 4: Parti/Partie/Party to Zone

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