This alphabetical list (newest additions) includes hundreds of French-English false cognates, with explanations of what each word means and how it can be correctly translated into the other language. To avoid confusion due to the fact that some of the words are identical in the two languages, the French word is followed by (F) and the English word is followed by (E).
Gave (F) vs Gave (E)
Gave (F) refers to a mountain stream.
Gave (E) is the simple past of to give - donner.
Gendre (F) vs Gender (E)
Gendre (F) is a son-in-law.
Gender (E) is either le genre (in grammar) or le sexe (in biology).
Gentil (F) vs Gentle (E)
Gentil (F) 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 (E) 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 (F) vs Guardian (E)
Gardien (F) 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 (E) is more specific: gardian, protecteur, tuteur.
Germain (F) vs German (E)
Germain (F) is used in the expression "cousins issus de germains" = second cousins.
German (E) = allemand, Allemand (languages + nationalities).
Glace (F) vs Glass (E)
Glace (F) can refer to ice, ice cream, a mirror, or sheet glass.
Glass (E) can mean un verre or une vitre.
Glas (F) vs Glass (E)
Glas (F) refers to the knell or toll of a bell, as well as a figurative knell.
Glass (E) = verre.
Gommer (F) vs Gum (E)
Gommer (F) means to erase, rub out, take away, or exfoliate. It can mean to gum as in to put gum on.
Gum (E) 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 (F) vs Grade (E)
Grade (F) means rank (in administration), degree (in academia), or grade (in math).
Grade (E) 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 (F) vs Grand (E)
Grand (F) 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 (E) is a very versatile term. It can mean large or impressive in size, scope, or extent, which is often translated as important in French; rich and sumptuous - grandiose, majestueux; or, especially in Ireland, great, as in "we had a grand time" - c'était formidable.
Grappe (F) vs Grape (E)
Grappe (F) is a cluster: une grappe de raisins - a bunch of grapes, grappes humaines - clusters of people.
Grape (E) is un raisin.
Gratuité (F) vs Gratuity (E)
Gratuité (F) refers to anything that is given for free: la gratuité de l'éducation - free education.
Gratuity (E) is un pourboire or une gratification.
Grief (F) vs Grief (E)
Grief (F) Un grief is a grievance: Il me fait grief d'être au chômage - He holds my unemployed status against me.
Grief (E) refers to great sadness or chagrin: I'd never felt such grief - Je n'ai jamais senti une telle douleur.
Groom (F) vs Groom (E)
Groom (F) = bellboy.
Groom (E) (horses) - le valet d'écurie; (wedding) - le marié.
Gros (F) vs Gross (E)
Gros (F) means big, fat, heavy, or serious: un gros problème - a big/serious problem.
Gross (E) means grossier, fruste, or (informally) dégueullasse.
Guy (F) vs Guy (E)
Guy (F) This word comes from Guillaume, the French equivalent of the name Bill - more French names
Guy (E) means un mec, gars, or type.
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