Phrase
Meaning: Actually means 'sentence'. For a short phrase or expression, say une expression.
Language: French
Looks like: phrase
Category: Everyday
Origin: From Greek phrasis — French uses it for a complete sentence, not a few words.
More false friends — Everyday
- 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.
- Eventuell — Actually means 'possibly' or 'perhaps'. Eventuell komme ich = Maybe I'll come — not 'I'll…
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 tongue twisters
- Didon dîna, dit-on, du dos d'un dodu dindon dont le dodu dos dodine. — A 'd' / 'din' / 'dod' avalanche that seems designed to jam the tongue in third gear.
- Un chasseur sachant chasser doit savoir chasser sans son chien. — The classic French 'ch' / 's' tangler.
- Les chaussettes de l'archiduchesse sont-elles sèches, archi-sèches? — A merciless duel between 'ch' and 's'.