Assister
Meaning: Actually means 'to attend' an event. J'assiste à la réunion = I attend the meeting. For assist (help), say aider.
Language: French
Looks like: assist
Category: Everyday
Origin: The same trap as Spanish asistir — attend vs help, depending on the language.
More false friends — Everyday
- Phrase — Actually means 'sentence'. For a short phrase or expression, say une expression.
- Ignorer — Actually means 'to be unaware of' or 'not to know'. J'ignore la réponse = I don't know th…
- Rock — Actually means 'skirt'. A rock (stone) is ein Stein.
- Brief — Actually means 'letter' (the kind you post). For brief (short), say kurz.
- Chef — Actually means 'boss' or 'manager'. A cook is ein Koch.
- Smoking — Actually means 'tuxedo' or 'dinner jacket'. The verb (smoking cigarettes) is rauchen.
More French false friends
- Déception — Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie.
- Monnaie — Actually means 'change' or 'coins'. Money in general is l'argent.
- Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Pain — Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur.
- Coin — Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce.
From our untranslatable words
- L'esprit de l'escalier — Thinking of the perfect comeback only after the moment has passed — on your way down the…
- Terroir — The unique character that a place — its soil, climate and tradition — gives to a wine or…
- Râler — To complain and grumble with a certain national flair — a beloved French pastime.