100 false cognates in French you should know

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

Never want to make mistakes in French again? Try our online French course Frantastique for free for 7 days.

Related articles:

• 10 ultimate false friends in French and English