False cognates – also known as false friends – are words that look and/or sound identical in both languages but have very different meanings.
On your journey towards French fluency, false friends can easily lead to embarrassing situations.
We have compiled a list of 100 false cognates in French you should know, ideal for beginner learners of French. Enjoy!
English | French | Not to confuse with | Translates as |
To abuse | Insulter | Abuser | To take advantage of |
To accommodate | Loger | Accommoder | To prepare |
To achieve | Réaliser | Achever | To complete, to accomplish |
Actually | En fait, en réalité | Actuellement | Now, at present, currently |
Advertisement | Publicité | Avertissement | Warning |
Affluence | Richesse | Affluence | Rush |
Agenda | Programme, ordre du jour | Agenda | Diary (UK), Schedule (US) |
Ancient | Ancien | Ancien | former, old, ancient |
Announcer | Présentateur | Annonceur | Advertiser |
Apology | Excuses | Apologie | Praise, vindication |
To assist | Aider | Assister | To attend |
Bachelor | Célibataire | Bachelier | Graduate |
Balance | Equilibre | Balance | Scales |
Baskets | Panier | Baskets | Trainers (UK), sneakers (US) |
Benefit | Avantage | Bénéfice | Profit |
Bio | Biographie | Bio | Organic |
Brushing | Brossage | Brushing | Blow dry, a perm |
Cave | Grotte | Cave | Cellar |
Caution | Prudence | Caution | Guarantee |
Chair | Chaise | Chaire | Flesh |
Chance | Opportunité | Chance | Luck |
Character | Personnage | Caractère | Nature |
To charge | Faire payer | Charger | To load |
Chat | Discuter | Chat | Cat |
To check | Contrôler | Chèque | Cheque (UK), Check (US) |
Close | Proche | Serré(e) | Closed |
College | Université | Collège | High-school |
Commodity | Marchandise | Commodité | Convenience |
Competition | Concurrence | Compétition | Tournament, sporting event |
Comprehensive | Complet | Compréhensif.ive | Understanding |
Conductor | Contrôleur | Conducteur.trice | Driver |
Confection | Friandise | Confection | Clothes manufacturing |
Confidence | Confiance | Confidence | Secret |
To contemplate | Envisager | Contempler | To gaze at |
Copy | Exemplaire | Copie | Reproduction |
Corpse | Cadavre | Corps | Body |
To cry | Pleurer | Crier | To scream, to shout |
To deceive | Tromper | Décevoir | To disappoint |
Disappointment | Déception | Deception | Tromperie |
Delay | Retard | Délai | Time limit, deadline |
Demand | Exiger | Demander | To ask |
Designer | Créateur de mode | Désigner | To appoint, to name |
To dispose | Se débarrasser | Disposer | To arrange |
Dispute | Conflict | Dispute | Argument, quarrel |
Engaged | Occupé(e) | Engagé(e) | Committed |
Estate | Domaine | Etat | State, condition |
Eventually | Finalement | Éventuellement | Possibly |
Evidence | Preuve | Evidence | Obviousness |
To experience | Ressentir, éprouver | Expérimenter | To experiment |
Fabric | Tissu | Fabrique | Manufacture(r) |
Facilities | Installations, équipements | Facilité | Ease |
Figure | Silhouette; chiffre | Figure | Face |
Fortunate | Chanceux | Fortuné(e) | Wealthy, rich |
Gentle | Aimable | Gentil.le | Nice, kind |
Grand | Grandiose | Grand | Tall, big |
Grapes | Raisins | Grappe | Bunch (of grapes) |
Grave | Tombe | Grave | Serious |
Habit | Habitude | Habit | Clothes |
Hazard | Danger | Hasard | Chance, coincidence |
Issue | Problème | Issue | Outcome, exit |
Lecture | Conférence | Lecture | Reading |
Library | Bibliothèque | Librairie | Bookshop (UK), bookstore (US) |
Location | Emplacement | Location | Rental |
Marriage | Vie conjugale | Mariage | Wedding |
Medicine | Médicament | Médecin | Doctor |
Mercy | Miséricorde | Merci | Thanks |
Miserable | Malheureux | Misérable | Poor, unfortunate |
Novel | Roman | Nouvelle | Short story |
Notice | Avertissement, préavis | Notice | Instructions, precautions |
Pain | Douleur | Pain | Bread |
To pass an exam | Réussir un examen | Passer un examen | To take an exam |
Photograph | Photographie | Photographe | Photographer |
Phrase | Expression | Phrase | Sentence |
Prejudice | Préjugé | Préjudice | Damage |
To pretend | Faire semblant | Prétendre | To claim |
Preservative | Agent conservateur | Préservatif | Condom |
To prevent | Empêcher | Prévenir | To warn |
Proper | Adéquat, correct | Propre | Clean |
To recover | Se rétablir, se remettre | Recouvrir | To cover |
To regard | Considérer | Regarder | To look at |
Relief | Soulagement | Relief | Mountainous area |
To relieve | Soulager | Relever | To raise |
Rest | Se reposer | Rester | To stay |
Resume | CV | Résumer | To sum up |
Retard (slang, insult) | Attardé, débile | Retard | Delay |
To retire | Prendre sa retraite | Se retirer | To withdraw |
Reunion | Retrouvailles | Réunion | Meeting |
Route | Itinéraire | Route | Road |
Rude | Grossier | Rude | Rough, hard |
Sensible | Raisonnable | Sensible | Sensitive |
Society | Société | Société | Company |
Stage | Etape | Stage | Internship |
Stationery | Fournitures de bureau | Stationnaire | Stable, stationary |
Store | Magasin | Store | Blind |
Supplier | Fournisseur | Supplier | To beg, to plead |
Surname | Nom de famille | Surnom | Nickname |
Sympathetic | Compatissant | Sympathique | Friendly |
Tape | Ruban, bande | Taper | To slap, to smack |
Vacation | Vacances | Vacation | Session, shift |
Wagon | Chariot | Wagon | Carriage |
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