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).
Vacance (F) vs Vacancy (E)
Vacance (F) is a semi-false cognate. In addition to vacancy, it can mean holiday or vacation.
Vacancy (E) = une chambre à louer, un poste libre, or une vacance.
Vaisselle (F) vs Vessel (E)
Vaisselle (F) means dishes or crockery: faire la vaisselle - to do the dishes.
Vessel (E) is un vaisseau, navire, bâtiment, or récipient.
Vase (F) vs Vase (E)
Vase (F) when masculine refers to a vase, but la vase = silt, mud, or sludge. (More dual-gender words)
Vase (E) = un vase.
Vendre (F) vs Vendor (E)
Vendre (F) means to sell.
Vendor (E) is un marchand.
Vent (F) vs Vent (E)
Vent (F) is the noun wind.
Vent (E) can refer to any of the following: un orifice, un conduit, un tuyau, une cheminée, un trou, une fente.
Vérifier (F) vs Verify (E)
Vérifier (F) can mean to verify as well as to check, audit, confirm, or prove.
Verify (E) means vérifier or confirmer.
Vers (F) vs Verse (E)
Vers (F) can be a preposition meaing toward, around, or about, or a masculine noun meaning a line of poetry or verse, but only in the sense of distinguishing between verse (poetry) and prose. Vers is also the plural of un ver = worm.
Verse (E) is une strophe or un couplet.
Versatile (F) vs Versatile (E)
Versatile (F) means fickle, changeable, or inconsistent.
Versatile (E) means aux talents variés or souple.
Vexé (F) vs Vexed (E)
Vexé (F) means hurt, upset, or offended.
Vexed (E) means angry - fâché.
Vie (F) vs Vie (E)
Vie (F) is the French word for life: C'est la vie - That's life.
Vie (E) means to struggle or fight: I vied with him for the gun - J'ai rivalisé avec lui pour le pistolet.
Vilain (F) vs Villain (E)
Vilain (F) means ugly, bad, or nasty.
Villain (E) is un scélérat, un traître, or un bandit.
Volatil(e) and Volatile (F) vs Volatile (E)
Volatil(e) (F) is an adjective meaning volatile when referring to a chemical. It can also mean fleeting: une valeur volatile - a fleeting value. Un volatile is a bird or other winged creature.
Volatile (E) can only be translated by volatil(e) in the chemistry lab. A volatile situation - une situation explosive. A volatile person - une personne versatile.
Voyage (F) vs Voyage (E)
Voyage (F) is a journey or trip. Voyager means to travel.
Voyage (E) is un voyage par mer.
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