Faux amis - S

One of the great things about learning French or English is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and English. However, there are also a great many faux amis, or false cognates, which look similar but have different meanings. This is one of the biggest pitfalls for students of French. There are also "semi-false cognates": words that can only sometimes be translated by the similar word in the other language.

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).


Salaire (F) vs Salary (E)

     Salaire (F) can mean salary or just wages or pay in general.
     Salary (E) indicates a fixed salaire per month or year; it can't mean hourly wages the way the French word can.


Sale (F) vs Sale (E)

     Sale (F) is an adjective - dirty. Saler means to salt.
     Sale (E) is the noun for vente or solde.


Scène (F) vs Scene (E)

     Scène (F) refers to the stage as well as all senses of scene.
     Scene (E) means scène or décor.


Scientifique (F) vs Scientific (E)

     Scientifique (F) can be an adjective, scientific, or a noun, scientist.
     Scientific (E) is always an adjective: scientifique or méthodique.


Scrutin (F) vs Scrutiny (E)

     Scrutin (F) = ballot, poll, election.
     Scrutiny (E) refers to un examen minutieux/rigoureux, un regard insistant.


Secret (F) vs Secret (E)

     Secret (F) 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 (E) refers to something that is not public knowledge.


Sécurité (F) vs Security (E)

     Sécurité (F) means safety as well as security.
     Security (E) can refer to une caution or guarantie in addition to la sécurité.


Seize (F) vs Seize (E)

     Seize (F) is the number sixteen.
     Seize (E) is the verb saisir.


Sensible (F) vs Sensible (E)

     Sensible (F) means sensitive or even nervous, as in pas recommandé aux sensibles - not recommended for people of a nervous disposition.
     Sensible (E) means to show good sense, e.g., in making decisions: sensé, raisonnable, sage.


Sentir (F) vs Sent (E)

     Sentir (F) means to smell or feel.
     Sent (E) is the past participle of to send = envoyer.


Siège (F) vs Siege (E)

     Siège (F) usually refers to a seat or chair, although it can also mean a siege.
     Siège (E) = siège.


Signe (F) vs Sign (E)

     Signe (F) 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 (E) 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 (F) vs Signet (E)

     Signet (F) is a marker or bookmark.
     Signet (E) is un sceau or un cachet. A signet ring = une chevalière.


Simple (F) vs Simple (E)

     Simple (F) 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 (E) is equivalent to its French cognate.


Sinistre/Sinistré (F) vs Sinister (E)

     Sinistre (F) is a true cognate as an adjective, but as a noun it refers to a catastrophe, disaster, or accident.
Sinistré (F) is a noun - disaster victim and an adjective - disaster-stricken.
     Sinister (E) means sinistre, funeste, or menaçant.


Situation (F) vs Situation (E)

     Situation (F) is a semi-false cognate In addition to situation, it can refer to location or position.
     Situation (E) refers to situation or conjoncture.

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