Faux amis - U

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).


Ultérieur (F) vs Ulterior (E)

     Ultérieur (F) means later or subsequent: la séance est reportée à une date ultérieure - the meeting is postponed to a later date.
     Ulterior (E) is followed by motive, meaning a hidden or secret purpose: he had an ulterior motive - il avait un motif secret.


Unique (F) vs Unique (E)

     Unique (F) means only when it precedes a noun (unique fille - only girl) and unique or one of a kind when it follows. More: fickle French adjectives.
     Unique (E) means unique, inimitable, or exceptionnel.


Unité (F) vs Unity (E)

     Unité (F) means unity as well as unit.
     Unity (E) is equivalent to unité when used literally, and harmonie or accord when figurative.


Urne (F) vs Urn (E)

     Urne (F) can mean a ballot box or an urn. Aller or Se rendre aux urnes = to vote.
     Urn (E) is une urne.


Us (F) vs Us (E)

     Us (F) is usually followed by et coutumes and refers to customs.
     Us (E) is the first person plural stressed pronoun: nous.


Usage (F) vs Usage (E)

     Usage (F) = use as well as custom. It is equivalent to usage only in reference to language; e.g., une expression consacrée par l'usage - an expression fixed by usage.
     Usage (E), outside of language, is equivalent to utilisation or traitement.


User (F) vs Use(r) (E)

     User (F) means to wear away/out.
     Use(r) (E) as a noun means l'emploi or l'utilisation, while as a verb it is translated by utiliser or se servir de. A user is un usager, consommateur, or, in the negative sense, profiteur.


Usuel (F) vs Usual (E)

     Usuel (F) means ordinary, everyday, or common.
     Usual (E) is slightly different: it leans more toward "typical" or "normal" - habituel or courant.


Usure (F) vs Usury (E)

     Usure (F) refers to wear (and tear) or usury.
     Usury (E) = usure.


Utilité (F) vs Utility (E)

     Utilité (F) means usefulness or use.
     Utility (E) can refer to l'utilité, but when plural means services publics.