20 French False friends you must learn
French and English share many similarities, but also have their fair share of differences.
One of the most common challenges when learning a new language is understanding false friends, or words that look or sound similar in both languages, but have different meanings.
In this lesson, we will explore 20 French false friends that you must learn in order to avoid confusion and communicate more effectively.
1. Actuellement – This word may look like the English word “actually,” but it actually means “currently” in French.
2. Sensible – This word may look like the English word “sensible,” but it actually means “sensitive” in French.
3. Bibliothèque – This word may look like the English word “bibliography,” but it actually means “library” in French.
4. Sensation – This word may look like the English word “sensation,” but it actually means “feeling” in French.
5. Éventuellement – This word may look like the English word “eventually,” but it actually means “possibly” or “if necessary” in French.
6. Préservatif – This word may look like the English word “preservative,” but it actually means “condom” in French.
7. Attendre – This word may look like the English word “attend,” but it actually means “to wait” in French.
8. Actualité – This word may look like the English word “actuality,” but it actually means “current events” or “news” in French.
9. Introduction – This word may look like the English word “introduction,” but it actually means “preface” in French.
10. Location – This word may look like the English word “location,” but it actually means “rental” in French.
11. Collège – This word may look like the English word “college,” but it actually refers to a secondary school in French.
12. Presque – This word may look like the English word “presque,” but it actually means “almost” in French.
13. Chef – This word may look like the English word “chef,” but it actually means “boss” or “manager” in French.
14. Intéressant – This word may look like the English word “interesting,” but it actually means “interested” in French.
15. Sens – This word may look like the English word “sense,” but it actually means “direction” in French.
16. Excité – This word may look like the English word “excited,” but it actually means “aroused” in French.
17. Demandes – This word may look like the English word “demands,” but it actually means “requests” in French.
18. Sensible – This word may look like the English word “sensible,” but it actually means “sensitive” in French.
19. Raisin – This word may look like the English word “raisin,” but it actually means “grape” in French.
20. Actuel – This word may look like the English word “actual,” but it actually means “current” in French.
In conclusion, understanding false friends is crucial when learning a new language. These 20 French false friends should help you communicate more effectively and avoid common misunderstandings.
Remember to pay close attention to context and be aware of the different meanings that words can have in different languages.
With practice and patience, you will soon become more comfortable speaking French and understanding its nuances.