What are some common false friends in French and English
False friends when learning French: What are some common false friends in French and English
False friends (or faux amis) are words in two languages that look or sound similar but have different meanings, often leading to confusion for language learners. Here are some common false friends between French and English:
Common False Friends in French and English
-
Actuellement
- French meaning: Currently, at present
- English false friend: Actually (which means “in fact”)
-
Assist
- French meaning: To attend (e.g., a meeting)
- English false friend: To assist (meaning “to help”)
-
Bras
- French meaning: Arm (body part)
- English false friend: Brass (a type of metal)
-
Demander
- French meaning: To ask
- English false friend: To demand (which implies insistence or force)
-
Éventuellement
- French meaning: Possibly
- English false friend: Eventually (meaning “in the end”)
-
Library
- French equivalent: Bibliothèque (a place to borrow books)
- False friend in French: Librairie (which means “bookstore”)
-
Lunatique
- French meaning: Moody, temperamental
- English false friend: Lunatic (meaning “crazy” or “insane”)
-
Pain
- French meaning: Bread
- English false friend: Pain (physical or emotional suffering)
-
Rester
- French meaning: To stay or remain
- English false friend: To rest (meaning “to relax”)
-
Sensible
- French meaning: Sensitive, emotional
- English false friend: Sensible (meaning “practical” or “reasonable”)
Why Do False Friends Exist?
False friends often arise because the two words share a common etymological origin but have evolved differently over time in each language. For example, both French and English borrow heavily from Latin, but the meanings of certain words diverged as the languages developed independently 1, 3.
Understanding these differences is crucial for avoiding miscommunication and improving language proficiency.