False friends when learning French
When learning French, false friends, or “faux amis,” can be particularly tricky as they are words that look similar in both English and French but have different meanings. Here are some common examples and explanations:
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Preservative vs. Préservatif: In English, a “preservative” is a substance used to preserve food, but in French, “préservatif” means condom. This can lead to awkward misunderstandings if used incorrectly 2.
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Actually vs. Actuellement: In English, “actually” means “in fact” or “really.” However, in French, “actuellement” means “currently” or “at present” 3.
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Sympathetic vs. Sympathique: While “sympathetic” in English refers to someone who shows compassion, “sympathique” in French simply means nice or friendly 3.
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Sensible vs. Sensible: In English, “sensible” describes someone who is practical and rational. In French, however, “sensible” means sensitive 3.
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Location vs. Location: In English, “location” refers to a place or position. In French, “location” means rental or hire 4.
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Library vs. Librairie: A “library” in English is a place where books are borrowed for reading. In French, “librairie” is a bookstore 4.
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Coin vs. Coin: In English, a “coin” is money in the form of metal currency. In French, “coin” means corner 4.
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Eventuellement vs. Eventually: In English, “eventually” means at some future time; in French, “éventuellement” means possibly 5.
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Raisin vs. Raisin: While a raisin in English is a dried grape, in French, “raisin” actually means grape 5.
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Attendre vs. Attend: The English verb “attend” means to be present at an event; however, in French, “attendre” means to wait 5.
Understanding these false friends is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings and improving communication when learning French. It’s always helpful to double-check the meaning of words that look similar across languages to ensure they are used correctly in context.