Free tool
French false friends
Words that look like English but mean something completely different. Search the list below to avoid classic traps.
40 of 40 false friends shown
sensible
sensitive
Looks like:sensible (reasonable)
Actually in French:raisonnable
actuellement
currently, at the moment
Looks like:actually (in fact)
Actually in French:en fait / réellement
attendre
to wait
Looks like:to attend (to go to)
Actually in French:assister à / participer à
une librairie
a bookshop
Looks like:a library (public lending building)
Actually in French:une bibliothèque
une cave
a cellar / basement
Looks like:a cave (natural underground space)
Actually in French:une grotte
le pain
bread
Looks like:pain (suffering)
Actually in French:la douleur / la souffrance
le coin
the corner
Looks like:a coin (money)
Actually in French:une pièce (de monnaie)
le chat
the cat
Looks like:chat (to talk)
Actually in French:bavarder / discuter
la figure
the face
Looks like:figure (number / shape)
Actually in French:un chiffre / une silhouette
le bras
the arm
Looks like:bra (undergarment)
Actually in French:un soutien-gorge
le car
the coach / bus
Looks like:car (automobile)
Actually in French:une voiture
le grand
tall / big
Looks like:grand (magnificent, £1000)
Actually in French:magnifique / mille livres
la location
rental / hiring
Looks like:location (place)
Actually in French:un emplacement / un lieu
la maille
the stitch / mesh
Looks like:mail (post)
Actually in French:le courrier / le mail
le menu
set meal / fixed-price dish
Looks like:menu (list of dishes)
Actually in French:la carte (in a restaurant)
le reste
the remainder / leftovers
Looks like:rest (relaxation)
Actually in French:le repos
la rude
steep (feminine form)
Looks like:rude (impolite)
Actually in French:impoli / grossier
le sale
the dirty one
Looks like:sale (discount selling)
Actually in French:les soldes / la vente
le stage
internship / training course
Looks like:stage (theatre platform)
Actually in French:la scène
la zone
the zone / area
Looks like:zone (specific district)
Actually in French:la zone (actually works here, but French zone is broader)
abuser
to take advantage of / to deceive
Looks like:to abuse (to mistreat)
Actually in French:maltraiter / battre
aider
to help
Looks like:to aid (same, but also confused)
Actually in French:aider (same meaning, but false friend in spelling sometimes)
ancien
former / old (preceding)
Looks like:ancient (very old)
Actually in French:antique / très vieux
blesser
to wound / hurt
Looks like:to bless (to confer favour)
Actually in French:bénir
brave
good / decent (person)
Looks like:brave (courageous)
Actually in French:courageux
une caution
a deposit / bail
Looks like:caution (carefulness)
Actually in French:la prudence
le character
not a French word; character in French is caractère
Looks like:character (personality / role)
Actually in French:le caractère / le personnage
le conducteur
the driver
Looks like:conductor (orchestra / electricity)
Actually in French:le chef d'orchestre / le conducteur (electricity too actually)
le contrôle
the inspection / check
Looks like:control (power over)
Actually in French:le pouvoir / la maîtrise
décevoir
to disappoint
Looks like:to deceive (to trick)
Actually in French:tromper
défendre
to forbid / to defend
Looks like:to defend (only protect)
Actually in French:interdire (forbid) / défendre (defend)
déraper
to skid
Looks like:to drape (to hang cloth)
Actually in French:draper
déranger
to disturb / bother
Looks like:to derange (to make insane)
Actually in French:rendre fou
désert
deserted / empty
Looks like:desert (sandy wasteland)
Actually in French:le désert (noun) — same word, but adjective differs in feel
détail
retail (vente au détail)
Looks like:detail (small fact)
Actually in French:le détail (same actually in French! But 'détailler' = retail)
disposer
to have at one's disposal / to arrange
Looks like:to dispose (to throw away)
Actually in French:se débarrasser de / jeter
éventuellement
possibly / if need be
Looks like:eventually (in the end)
Actually in French:finalement / à la fin
exploiter
to operate / run (a business)
Looks like:to exploit (to take unfair advantage)
Actually in French:exploiter (also means exploit, but primary meaning differs)
une fabrique
a factory
Looks like:fabric (cloth material)
Actually in French:le tissu / l'étoffe
faire une fixation
to obsess over
Looks like:fixation (repairing)
Actually in French:la réparation