This alphabetical list 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).
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animation (F) vs animation (E)
animation (F) is much more general in French than in English. In addition to animation, life, liveliness, it can also refer to cultural or sports activities as well as leadership.
animation (E) means animation or vivacité.
fraîche (F) vs fresh (E)
fraîche (F) is the feminine form of the adjective frais, which means both fresh and cool. So this tends to be problem for native French speakers, who often translate boissons fraîches as "fresh drinks," when what they really mean is cool drinks.
fresh (E) = frais, récent, nouveau.
manifestation (F) vs manifestation (E)
manifestation (F) can mean manifestation, but is also commonly used in reference to a political demonstration or some kind of event.
manifestation (E) = manifestation.
précaire (F) vs precarious (E)
précaire (F) means precarious, but only figuratively, as when talking about a relationship, a situation, or someone's health.
precarious (E) can be figurative, like précaire, but it can also be literal, as when talking about a ladder or building in a precarious location. For this meaning, it's equivalent to instable.
standard (F) vs standard (E)
standard (F) as a noun is a switchboard. As an adjective, it's the same as standard.
standard (E) as a noun refers to une norme, un critère, un niveau.
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