French-English False Cognates - Faux amis
Liste alphabétique - G
Gave vs Gave
Gave refers to a mountain stream.
Gave is the simple past of to give - donner.
Gendre vs Gender
Gendre is a son-in-law.
Gender is either le genre (in grammar) or le sexe (in biology).
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.
Gardien vs Guardian
Gardien is a very general term that can indicate anyone who guards someone or something: warden, keeper, guard, attendant, caretaker. It can also be figurative.
Guardian is more specific: gardian, protecteur, tuteur.
Germain vs German
Germain is used in the expression cousins issus de germains = second cousins.
German = allemand, Allemand (languages + nationalities).
Glace vs Glass
Glace can refer to ice, ice cream, a mirror, or sheet glass
Glass can mean un verre or une vitre.
Glas vs Glass
Glas refers to the knell or toll of a bell, as well as a figurative knell.
Glass = verre.
Gommer vs Gum
Gommer means to erase, rub out, take away, or exfoliate. It can mean to gum as in to put gum on.
Gum as a verb means gommer only in the sense of putting gum on, but the more typical French verb for that meaning is coller.
Grade vs Grade
Grade means rank (in administration), degree (in academia), or grade (in math).
Grade refers to qualité or calibre. In referring to school in the US, grade can indicate une note (how well you did in a class:A, B+, etc) or une année (e.g., first grade).
Grand vs Grand
Grand
is a semi-false cognate. It means both great (e.g., un grand homme - a great man) and large or tall: elle est grande - she's tall, une grande quantité - a large quantity.
Grand is a very versatile term. It can mean large or impressive in size, scope, or extent; rich and sumptuous; pleasing; and/or important/principal.
Grappe vs Grape
Grappe is a cluster: une grappe de raisins - a bunch of grapes, grappes humaines - clusters of grapes.
Grape is un raisin.
Gratuité vs Gratuity
Gratuité refers to anything that is given for free: la gratuité de l'éducation - free education.
Gratuity is un pourboire or une gratification.
Grief vs Grief
Un grief is a grievance: Il me fait grief d'être au chômage - He holds my unemployed status against me.
Grief refers to great sadness or chagrin: I'd never felt such grief - Je n'ai jamais senti une telle douleur.
Groom vs Groom
Groom = bellboy.
Groom (horses) - le valet d'écurie; (wedding) - le marié.
Gros vs Gross
Gros means big, fat, heavy, or serious: un gros problème - a big/serious problem.
Gross means grossier, fruste, or (informally) dégueullasse.
Guy vs Guy
Guy, from Guillaume, is the French equivalent of the name Bill - more French names
Guy means un mec, gars, or type.
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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.
