French-English False Cognates - Faux amis
Liste alphabétique - S
Salaire vs Salary
Salaire can mean salary or just wages or pay in general.
Salary indicates a fixed salaire per month or year; it can't mean hourly wages the way the French word can.
Sale vs Sale
Sale is an adjective - dirty. Saler means to salt.
Sale is the noun for vente or solde.
Scène vs Scene
Scène refers to the stage as well as all senses of scene.
Scene means scène or décor.
Scientifique vs Scientific
Scientifique can be an adjective, scientific, or a noun, scientist.
Scientific is always an adjective: scientifique or méthodique.
Secret vs Secret
Secret is a semi-false cognate; in addition to the English sense of secret, the French word can mean reserved or reticent: Il est secret - He is reserved.
Secret refers to something that is not public knowledge.
Sécurité vs Security
Sécurité means safety as well as security.
Security can refer to une caution or guarantie in addition to la sécurité.
Seize vs Seize
Seize is the number sixteen.
Seize is the verb saisir.
Sensible vs Sensible
Sensible means sensitive or even nervous, as in pas recommandé aux sensibles - not recommended for people of a nervous disposition.
Sensible means to show good sense, e.g., in making decisions: sensé, raisonnable, sage.
Sentir vs Sent
Sentir means to smell or feel.
Sent is the past participle of to send = envoyer.
Siège vs Siege
Siège usually refers to a seat or chair, although it can also mean a siege.
Siege = siège.
Signe vs Sign
Signe is a semi-false cognate. It can refer to a sign in sign language, a gesture, an omen, a sign of the zodiac, or a symbol. It can also mean a mark or feature, as in signes particuliers - distinguishing marks or features.
Sign includes all of the meanings in the first sentence, above, but can also mean a street or store sign: un panneau or une enseigne, respectively.
Signet vs Signet
Signet is a marker or bookmark.
Signet is un sceau or un cachet. A signet ring = une chevalière.
Simple vs Simple
Simple is a semi-false cognate. It can mean plain, one-way (as in a street or a plane ticket), or singles (as in tennis).
Simple is equivalent to its French cognate.
Sinistre/Sinistré vs Sinister
Sinistre is a true cognate as an adjective, but as a noun it refers to a catastrophe, disaster, or accident. Sinistré is a noun - disaster victim and an adjective - disaster-stricken.
Sinister means sinistre, funeste, or menaçant.
Situation vs Situation
Situation is a semi-false cognate. In addition to situation, it can refer to location or position.
Situation refers to situation or conjoncture.
Social vs Social
Social is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the English sense, it often refers to the world of industrial or labor relations: partenaires sociaux - management and labor.
Social describes someone/something that enjoys the company of others: a social creature - une créature sociale.
Société vs Society
Société can refer to society or to a company.
Society = société.
Sole vs Sole
Sole can refer to the fish sole or a hearth.
Sole can refer a kind of fish - une sole, the sole of a shoe - la semelle, or the adjective seul or unique.
Son vs Son
Son is the third person singular possessive adjective as well as the French noun for sound.
Son is the English word for fils.
Sort vs Sort
Sort refers to one's lot in life, fate, or a magical spell.
Sort = une sorte, un genre, une espèce, une marque.
Sortir vs Sort
Sortir means to go out or to leave.
Sort means classer, trier, or séparer.
Source vs Source
Source is a semi-false cognate. In addition to source, it can refer to a spring (source of water).
Source is une source or une origine.
Souvenir vs Souvenir
Souvenir is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the English sense, it is the French verb "to remember" as well as a noun for memory, recollection, and remembrance.
Souvenir is a keepsake or memento.
Spécial vs Special
Spécial is a semi-false cognate. In addition to special, it can mean strange: Elle est très spéciale - She is very peculiar.
Special refers to something out of the ordinary: a special event - un événement spécial.
Spectacle vs Spectacle
Spectacle refers to any sort of exhibition: un spectacle de danse - a dance performance or to something that others can watch: le spectacle de la rue - the bustle on the street.
Spectacle is a semi-false cognate. It can mean an exhibition, but is usually used with a negative connotation: you made a spectacle of yourself - tu t'es donné en spectacle. Spectacles is the British English word for lunettes.
Sportif vs Sportive
Sportif refers to something related to sports: un journal sportif - a sports magazine or someone who is fond of sports: un homme sportif - an athletic man.
Sportive means playful or merry - folâtre, badin.
Stable vs Stable
Stable means stable, steady, or unmoving.
Stable is a semi-false cognate. In addition to meaning the adjective stable, it can be the noun écurie.
Station vs Station
Station can refer to most kinds of transportation stops: station d'autobus (bus stop), station de métro (subway station), station de taxis (taxi rank). It can also be used, as in English, to refer to an observation or research station.
Station has pretty much all of the above meanings as well as others: police station (la gendarmerie), train station (la gare), station in life (sa situation sociale). As a verb, it can be translated by placer, poster, or installer.
Stage vs Stage
Stage is an internship or training period.
Stage is une scène, le théâtre, un estrade, or une étape.
Store vs Store
Store refers to a blind, shade, or awning.
Store is any sort of magasin or provision as well as the verb mettre en réserve or conserver.
String vs String
String is a G-string or thong.
String refers to une ficelle, un fil, une corde.
Suit vs Suit
Suit is from the verb suivre - to follow.
Suit can be a noun - costume, tailleur, tenue, etc. or a verb - convenir à.
Supplier vs Supplier/Supply
Supplier is the verb to beg, beseech, or implore.
Supplier is a noun for one who supplies - un fournisseur. Supply as a noun means une provision, une réserve, un stock, or une alimentation. As a verb, it means fournir, procurer, or approvisionner.
Supporter vs Support
Supporter means to support or hold up, as well as to endure or put up with something.
Support means all of these things, but in the sense of enduring something, soutenir is the more common translation.
Surnom vs Surname
Surnom = nickname.
Surname = nom (de famille).
Susceptible vs Susceptible
Susceptible means sensitive, touchy, or thin-skinned, or else capable or likely (est-il susceptible de... - is he capable of / likely to...)
Susceptible = sensible, ouvert, or accessible à. In medicine, it means prédisposé à (une maladie).
Sympathique vs Sympathetic
Sympathique (or sympa) means nice, likeable, friendly, kindly.
Sympathetic can be translated by compatissant or de sympathie.
Archives:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The free, twice-weekly About French Language newsletter keeps you informed about changes to this site, including new lessons, articles, and forum discussions. Subscribe today!
|
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.
