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Assister

Meaning: Actually means 'to attend' an event. J'assiste à la réunion = I attend the meeting. For assist (help), say aider.

Language: French

Literally: 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.

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