What Are False Friends?
False friends are words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings. They are especially common between French and English due to their shared Latin roots. While some words genuinely share meaning (true cognates), false friends can lead learners astray, causing confusion in both written and spoken communication.
Top 10 Most Confusing French-English False Friends
1. Actuellement vs. Actually
French: Actuellement means “currently” or “at present.”
English: “Actually” means “in fact” or “really.”
Example: Je travaille actuellement à Paris. (I am currently working in Paris.)
Not: I am actually working in Paris. (This would imply “in fact,” not “currently.”)
2. Attendre vs. Attend
French: Attendre means “to wait.”
English: “To attend” means “to be present at” (e.g., an event).
Example: Je dois attendre le bus. (I have to wait for the bus.)
Not: I have to attend the bus.
3. Prétendre vs. Pretend
French: Prétendre means “to claim” or “to assert.”
English: “To pretend” means “to make believe” or “to feign.”
Example: Il prétend être innocent. (He claims to be innocent.)
Not: He pretends to be innocent. (He is faking innocence.)
4. Library vs. Librairie
French: Librairie means “bookstore.”
English: “Library” is a place where you borrow books.
Example: Je vais à la librairie acheter un livre. (I’m going to the bookstore to buy a book.)
Not: I’m going to the library to buy a book.
5. Déception vs. Deception
French: Déception means “disappointment.”
English: “Deception” means “the act of deceiving” or “trickery.”
Example: Sa déception était évidente. (His disappointment was obvious.)
Not: His deception was obvious.
6. Monnaie vs. Money
French: Monnaie means “change” (as in coins or small denominations).
English: “Money” is a general term for currency.
Example: Avez-vous de la monnaie pour un billet de 10 euros ? (Do you have change for a 10-euro note?)
Not: Do you have money for a 10-euro note?
7. Rester vs. Rest
French: Rester means “to stay” or “to remain.”
English: “To rest” means “to relax” or “to take a break.”
Example: Je vais rester chez moi ce soir. (I will stay at home tonight.)
Not: I will rest at home tonight. (This means you’ll relax, not just stay.)
8. Sensible vs. Sensible
French: Sensible means “sensitive.”
English: “Sensible” means “practical” or “reasonable.”
Example: Elle est très sensible. (She is very sensitive.)
Not: She is very sensible.
9. Passer un examen vs. Pass an Exam
French: Passer un examen means “to take an exam.”
English: “To pass an exam” means “to succeed in an exam.”
Example: Je vais passer un examen demain. (I am going to take an exam tomorrow.)
Not: I am going to pass an exam tomorrow. (This means you are sure to succeed!)
10. Assister à vs. Assist
French: Assister à means “to attend” (an event).
English: “To assist” means “to help.”
Example: J’ai assisté à une conférence. (I attended a conference.)
Not: I assisted a conference.
Tips for Mastering French False Friends
- Context is key: Always pay attention to the sentence context to deduce the true meaning.
- Keep a list: Maintain a personal glossary of false friends you encounter.
- Practice regularly: Use language learning apps like Talkpal to reinforce correct usage.
- Read and listen: Engage with authentic French content to see these words used in real situations.
Conclusion
False friends are a common stumbling block for French learners, but with awareness and practice, you can avoid the most confusing pitfalls. By familiarizing yourself with these deceptive pairs, you will sharpen your language skills and communicate with greater accuracy. For more tips and resources on mastering French, be sure to explore the Talkpal AI language learning blog and join our community of enthusiastic learners!
