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French False Friends

A curated set of 16 false friends in French — literal translations, real meanings, and where each one comes from.

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  • Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable. Literally: sensible.
  • Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque. Literally: library.
  • Pain — Actually means 'bread'. The hurting kind of pain is la douleur. Literally: pain.
  • Coin — Actually means 'corner'. A coin you spend is une pièce. Literally: coin.
  • Chance — Actually means 'luck'. Bonne chance! = Good luck! For chance (probability), say une possibilité. Literally: chance.
  • Sympathique — Actually means 'nice' or 'pleasant'. Il est très sympathique = He's very nice — not 'He's very sympathetic'. Literally: sympathetic.
  • Rester — Actually means 'to stay' or 'to remain'. Je reste ici = I'm staying here — not taking a nap. Literally: rest.
  • Attendre — Actually means 'to wait for'. J'attends le bus = I'm waiting for the bus. For attend an event, say assister à. Literally: attend.
  • Actuel — Actually means 'current' or 'present-day'. Actuellement = currently — not 'actually'. Literally: actual.
  • Blesser — Actually means 'to wound' or 'to injure'. Je suis blessé = I am injured — not blessed. Literally: bless.
  • Location — Actually means 'rental'. Une location de voiture = a car rental. For location (place), say l'emplacement. Literally: location.
  • Assister — Actually means 'to attend' an event. J'assiste à la réunion = I attend the meeting. For assist (help), say aider. Literally: assist.
  • Phrase — Actually means 'sentence'. For a short phrase or expression, say une expression. Literally: phrase.
  • Ignorer — Actually means 'to be unaware of' or 'not to know'. J'ignore la réponse = I don't know the answer — not 'I'm ignoring the answer'. Literally: ignore.
  • Déception — Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie. Literally: deception.
  • Monnaie — Actually means 'change' or 'coins'. Money in general is l'argent. Literally: money.

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