False friendEverydayFrench

Attendre

Meaning: Actually means 'to wait for'. J'attends le bus = I'm waiting for the bus. For attend an event, say assister à.

Looks like: Attend

Origin: From Latin attendere — in French the 'direct attention toward' sense became 'wait for'.

More false friends — Everyday

  • Actuel Actually means 'current' or 'present-day'. Actuellement = currently — not 'actually'.
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  • 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.

More French false friends

  • Blesser Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed.
  • Location Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), sa…
  • 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.

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