Déception
Meaning: Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie.
Language: French
Looks like: deception
Category: Feelings
Origin: From Latin deceptio; French shifted to the let-down you feel, not the lie you're told.
More false friends — Feelings
- Disgusto — Actually means 'displeasure', 'upset', or 'trouble'. For disgust (revulsion), say asco.
- Brutaal — Actually means 'cheeky' or 'impudent'. For brutal, say wreed or bruut.
- Esquisito — Actually means 'strange', 'weird' or 'odd'. For exquisite, say requintado.
- Educado — Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
- Injúria — Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.
- Rar — Actually means 'sweet' or 'kind'. En rar person is a lovely person. (In Norwegian, rar me…
More French false friends
- 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.
- Chance — Actually means 'luck'. Bonne chance! = Good luck! For chance (probability), say une possi…
From our tongue twisters
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches? — A merciless duel between 'ch' and 's'.
- Si six scies scient six cyprès, six cents scies scient six cents cyprès. — An 's' / 'si' minefield.
- Dans ta tente ta tante t'attend. — A gentle 'ta / ten / tan / t'' warm-up that sounds faster than it reads.