French-English False Cognates - Faux amis
Liste alphabétique - C
Caméra vs Camera
Caméra is a movie camera.
Camera = un appareil photo.
Canal vs Canal
Canal can refer to a canal, a channel, or an intermediary.
Canal = un canal or un conduit.
Candide vs Candid
Candide means naïve or ingenuous; Candid means open or frank: franc, sincère.
Car vs Car
Car is most often used as a conjunction: because or for. As a noun, it refers to a coach or bus.
Car is une voiture.
Caractère vs Character
Caractère refers only to the character or temperament of a person or thing: Cette maison a du caractère - This house has character.
Character can mean nature/temperament: Education develops character - L'éducation développe le caractère, as well as a fictional character in a book, play, movie, etc.: Romeo is a famous character - Romeo est un personnage célèbre.
Carton vs Carton
Carton is a semi-false cognate. While it can refer to a box, it can also mean simply cardboard. It can also indicate a target, sketch, or card.
Carton can be a pot, carton, boîte, brick, or cartouche.
Case vs Case
Case is a square or a box (e.g., on a form), a compartment, or a hut.
Case can refer to un cas, un procès, or une valise.
Caution vs Caution
Caution is a financial term; it can mean guarantee, security, bail, or backing.
Caution indicates prudence, circonspection, or avertissement.
Cave vs Cave
Cave = cellar, basement, vault.
Cave = une caverne, une grotte.
Ceinture vs Century
Ceinture is a belt.
Century is un siècle.
Célibataire vs Celibate
Celibataire as a noun means a bachelor, as an adjective can mean celibate or simply single/unmarried.
Celibate is the adjective célibataire.
Cent vs Cent
Cent is the French word for a hundred.
Cent can be figuratively translated by un sou. Literally, it is one hundredth of a dollar.
Chaîne vs Chain
Chaîne can refer to a chain, a production line, a TV channel, or a stereo.
Chain can be a noun - une chaîne, or a verb - enchaîner.
Chair vs Chair
Chair means flesh.
Chair can be une chaise, un fauteuil (armchair), or un siège (seat).
Champ vs Champ
Champ refers to a field (in all senses), while champs = country(side).
Champ is an informal abbreviation for champion - un champion.
Chance vs Chance
Chance means luck.
Chance refers to un hasard, une possibilité, or une occasion.
Charge vs Charge
Charge as a noun can mean burden, load, cargo, responsibility. The verb charger means to load or to charge.
Charge the noun can mean inculpation, accusation, or attaque. The verb to charge can mean accuser or faire payer.
Chat vs Chat
Chat is the French word for cat.
Chat is both a noun and a verb: bavarder/bavardage or discuter/discussion.
Chope vs Chop
Chope is a mug or pint.
Chop can be a noun - une côtelette, un coup - or a verb - trancher, couper, hacher.
Choir vs Choir
Choir is an old-fashioned or archaic verb which means to fall.
Choir indicates un choeur or une chorale.
Christian vs Christian
Christian is a masculine French name (learn more), while
Christian = (un) chrétien (not capitalized).
Chute vs Chute
Chute refers to a fall, loss, collapse, or failure.
Chute is une glissière.
Circulation vs Circulation
Circulation is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the circulation of air, water, etc., it can mean traffic.
Circulation means circulation or propagation.
Client vs Client
Client is a semi-false cognate. In addition to client, it can refer to a customer, patron, or patient.
Client is a client.
Coin vs Coin
Coin refers to a corner in every sense of the English word. It can also be used figuratively to mean area: l'épicier du coin - the local grocer.
Coin is a piece of metal used as money - une pièce de monnaie.
Collège vs College
Collège and lycée both refer to high school: Mon collège a 1 000 élèves - My high school has 1,000 students.
College is translated by université : This college's tuition is very expensive - Les frais de scolarité à cette université sont très élevés.
Combinaison vs Combination
Combinaison is a semi-false cognate. It can refer to a slip, overalls, or a ski-suit.
Combination is equivalent to the French in virtually all senses of the word. In British English, Combination can also refer to un side-car.
Combine vs Combine
Combine is an informal term for a trick or scheme.
Combine can be translated by une association, une corporation, or, in agriculture, une moissoneuse-batteuse. To combine = combiner or joindre.
Comédien vs Comedian
Comédien can refer to any actor, not just a comedian/comedy actor. It can also indicate a sham or show-off.
Comedian is a comédien or comique.
Commander vs Command
Commander is a semi-false cognate. It means to order (a command) as well as to order a meal or goods/services. Une commande is an order.
Command can be translated by commander, ordonner, or exiger. It is also a noun: ordre or commandement.
Comme vs Come
Comme means like or as.
Come is the verb venir.
Comment vs Comment
Comment is an adverb meaning how or what: Comment vas-tu ? - How are you? Comment t'appelles-tu ? - What is your name?
A Comment is une observation or un commentaire.
Commode vs Commode
Commode as an adjective means convenient or handy; as a noun it indicates a chest of drawers.
Commode rarely means a chest of drawers, in American English it usually refers to a toilet: toilettes or cabinets. In British English, it means a special chair with a hole, under which is a chamber pot (normally used by disabled persons): une chaise percée.
Commodité vs Commodity
Commodité means convenience: les commodités de la vie moderne - the conveniences of modern life.
Commodity refers to a product for trade, goods: produit, article, denrée (latter refers only to food).
Complet vs Complete
Complet is an adjective: complete, comprehensive, full, total. The feminine form is complète. It is also the noun for a men's suit.
Complete is an adjective: complet, terminé. It is also a verb: compléter, finir, remplir.
Compréhensif vs Comprehensive
Compréhensif can mean comprehensive as well as understanding or tolerant.
Comprehensive has many meanings: détaillé, complet, étendu, global, or compréhensif.
Compromis vs Compromise(d)
Compromis = a compromise, while the expression compromis de vente refers to a provisional sales agreement. As an adjective (past participle of compromettre), it means compromised in both the positive and negative sense (We have compromised with our friends and Our mission has been compromised).
Compromise refers to un compromis or une transaction. As a verb, it means compromettre, transiger, aboutir à/accepter un compromis.
Con vs Con
Con is a vulgar word that literally refers to female genitalia. It usually means an idiot, or is used as an adjective in the sense of bloody or damned.
Con can be a noun - la frime, une escroquerie, or a verb - duper, escroquer.
Concerner vs Concern(ed)
Concerner is a semi-false cognate. It means to concern only in the sense of to affect or to have to do with: Cela ne vous concerne pas - This doesn't concern/affect you. Thus concerné means affected by, not concerned about something.
Concern is both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it can mean concerner/toucher as well as inquiéter or préoccuper. The noun means rapport, affaire, souci, intérêt, etc.
Concierge vs Concierge
Concierge is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the concierge of a hotel, it can refer to the caretaker of a building or apartment house.
Concierge is a member of hotel staff.
Concret vs Concrete
Concret is an adjective which means concrete (in the sense of real/tangible or made of concrete). Feminine version: concrète.
Concrete can be an adjective or a noun: le béton.
Conducteur vs Conductor
Conducteur is the general French term for a driver. In terms of electricity, it is both a noun - conductor and an adjective - conductive, conducting.
Conductor refers to un contrôleur or un chef d'orchestre.
Conférence vs Conference
Conférence is a lecture or conference.
Conference is une conférence, un congrès, or une assemblée.
Confiance vs Confidence
Confiance can refer to confidence or trust.
Confidence means confiance, while self-confidence is assurance.
Confident vs Confident
Confident is a noun, the French equivalent of confidant - someone you tell all your secrets and private matters.
Confident is an adjective; the French equivalents are confiant, assuré, sûr, and persuadé.
Confortable vs Comfortable
Confortable = comfortable for a place or thing.
Comfortable can also be used for people, but in French this would be translated as à l'aise or bien.
Confus vs Confused
Confus means ashamed, embarrassed, disorganized, or uncertain.
Confused means désorienté, déconcerté, confondu, or embrouillé.
Conseil/Conseiller vs Counsel
Conseil can refer to a hint or piece of advice; a consultant or adviser; or a board, committee, or council. Conseiller means to recommend, advise, or counsel.
Counsel is a noun: une consultation, un conseil, une déliberation, un avocat (in formal English) and a verb: conseiller, recommander.
Consumer vs Consume
Consumer means to consume only as a fire or as ambition consumes.
Consume usually refers to eating or drinking something: consommer.
Contrée vs Country
Contrée refers only to the physical boundaries of a piece of land or a region.
Country can indicate un pays, une patrie, or la campagne.
Contrôle vs Control
Contrôle is a semi-false cognate. It usually refers to an inspection, verification, or test, but it can in some cases indicate self-control or control of a vehicle.
Control indicates power over someone (including oneself) or something.
Corde vs Cord
Corde refers to rope or a string on a musical instrument.
Cord = un cordon.
Corporation vs Corporation
Corporation can refer to a corporate body, guild, or, in general terms, profession.
Corporation is une société commerciale, société à responsabilité limitée, or compagnie commerciale. In the UK, it can also refer to un conseil municipal.
Corps vs Corps
Corps is a semi-false cognate. In addition to a body of people like Corps de la Paix - Peace Corps, corps can mean (human) body or corpse.
Corps refers to un corps of people.
Correspondance vs Correspondence
Correspondance can mean correspondence, conformity, balance, or a travel connection.
Correspondence means correspondance.
Courageux vs Courageous
Courageux can mean courageous, but is also used to mean up to or not lazy: Je ne suis pas courageux - I don't feel up to it; Sois courageux ! - Don't be lazy!
Courageous = courageux.
Course vs Course
la Course means running, une course is a trip, journey, or race.
Course refers to un cours or une route. Of course = bien sûr.
Courtisan vs Courtesan
Courtisan is a courtier or sycophant.
Courtesan is une courtisane.
Crâne vs Crane
Crâne means skull as a noun and gallant as an adjective.
Crane = une grue (both the bird and the machine).
Crayon vs Crayon
Crayon is a pencil.
Crayon translates as un crayon de couleur. The French language uses this expression for both crayon and colored pencil.
Crier vs Cry
Crier means to scream or shout.
Cry as a verb means pleurer; as a noun it is un cri.
Crise vs Crisis
Crise is a semi-false cognate; it has several meanings in addition to the English sense of crisis: une crise d'asthme- an asthma attack, une crise de colère - a fit of anger, une crise économique - an economic slump.
Crisis refers to an extremely serious event: crisis management - gestion de crise.
Crispé vs Crisp
Crispé means tensed or flexed, from the verb crisper.
Crisp is used mainly with food: croquant or croustillant.
Cuisine vs Cuisine
Cuisine is the kitchen or cooking.
Cuisine is just a fancy word for the cooking of a particular region ~ cuisine in French.
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Disclaimer: The words that I have chosen to discuss are not explained in every possible context. There may be occasions where the French and English mean the same thing. I have chosen word pairs that are usually not related by anything other than spelling. For complete definitions and more extensive examples, please consult a dictionary.
