Learning a new language is a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. For English speakers learning French, one of the most intriguing and sometimes perplexing aspects is the phenomenon of “false friends” or “faux amis.” These are words that appear similar in both languages but have different meanings. Falling for these false friends can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and even embarrassing mistakes. This article aims to highlight some of the most common false friends in French and English, providing you with the knowledge to navigate these linguistic pitfalls confidently.
Understanding False Friends
False friends occur due to the shared etymological history between languages, often stemming from Latin or Greek roots. While these words may look and sound similar across languages, they have evolved to have different meanings. For example, the English word “library” and the French word “librairie” share Latin roots but mean “a place where books are borrowed” and “a bookstore,” respectively. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings.
Common False Friends in French and English
Below is a list of some of the most frequently encountered false friends between French and English, along with their meanings and examples of how they are used.
1. Actuellement vs. Actually
Actuellement (French): currently, at present
Actually (English): in fact, really
Example:
– French: “Je travaille actuellement sur un projet important.”
(I am currently working on an important project.)
– English: “I actually finished the project last week.”
(I really finished the project last week.)
2. Attendre vs. Attend
Attendre (French): to wait
Attend (English): to be present at, to go to
Example:
– French: “Je dois attendre le bus.”
(I have to wait for the bus.)
– English: “I will attend the meeting tomorrow.”
(I will go to the meeting tomorrow.)
3. Blesser vs. Bless
Blesser (French): to injure, to hurt
Bless (English): to bestow a blessing upon, to sanctify
Example:
– French: “Il s’est blessé en jouant au football.”
(He injured himself while playing football.)
– English: “The priest will bless the congregation.”
(The priest will sanctify the congregation.)
4. Bras vs. Bras
Bras (French): arm
Bras (English): a type of undergarment (short for brassiere)
Example:
– French: “Elle a un tatouage sur le bras.”
(She has a tattoo on her arm.)
– English: “She bought a new bra.”
(She bought a new undergarment.)
5. Chair vs. Chair
Chair (French): flesh, meat
Chair (English): a piece of furniture to sit on
Example:
– French: “La chair de poulet est tendre.”
(The chicken meat is tender.)
– English: “Please take a seat in the chair.”
(Please sit in the piece of furniture.)
6. Commande vs. Command
Commande (French): order (like a purchase order)
Command (English): to give an order or directive
Example:
– French: “J’ai passé une commande en ligne.”
(I placed an order online.)
– English: “The general will command the troops.”
(The general will give orders to the troops.)
7. Décevoir vs. Deceive
Décevoir (French): to disappoint
Deceive (English): to mislead, to trick
Example:
– French: “Je ne veux pas te décevoir.”
(I don’t want to disappoint you.)
– English: “He tried to deceive his friends.”
(He tried to trick his friends.)
8. Demander vs. Demand
Demander (French): to ask
Demand (English): to insist on, to require
Example:
– French: “Je vais demander de l’aide.”
(I am going to ask for help.)
– English: “The workers demand better pay.”
(The workers insist on better pay.)
9. Envie vs. Envy
Envie (French): desire, want
Envy (English): jealousy
Example:
– French: “J’ai envie de manger une glace.”
(I want to eat ice cream.)
– English: “She felt envy towards her friend.”
(She felt jealousy towards her friend.)
10. Eventuellement vs. Eventually
Eventuellement (French): possibly
Eventually (English): in the end, after some time
Example:
– French: “Nous irons éventuellement en France.”
(We might possibly go to France.)
– English: “He eventually finished his degree.”
(He finished his degree after some time.)
11. Habiller vs. Inhabit
Habiller (French): to dress
Inhabit (English): to live in, to reside
Example:
– French: “Elle sait bien habiller ses enfants.”
(She knows how to dress her children well.)
– English: “Many species inhabit this forest.”
(Many species live in this forest.)
12. Journée vs. Journey
Journée (French): day, daytime
Journey (English): trip, voyage
Example:
– French: “Passez une bonne journée!”
(Have a good day!)
– English: “Their journey was long and tiring.”
(Their trip was long and tiring.)
13. Librairie vs. Library
Librairie (French): bookstore
Library (English): a place where books are borrowed
Example:
– French: “Je vais à la librairie pour acheter un livre.”
(I am going to the bookstore to buy a book.)
– English: “I borrowed a book from the library.”
(I borrowed a book from the place where books are lent out.)
14. Location vs. Location
Location (French): rental
Location (English): place, site
Example:
– French: “La location de la voiture est chère.”
(The rental of the car is expensive.)
– English: “The location of the event is beautiful.”
(The place where the event is held is beautiful.)
15. Préservatif vs. Preservative
Préservatif (French): condom
Preservative (English): a substance used to preserve food
Example:
– French: “Il est important d’utiliser un préservatif.”
(It is important to use a condom.)
– English: “This food contains no artificial preservatives.”
(This food contains no artificial substances to preserve it.)
16. Rester vs. Rest
Rester (French): to stay
Rest (English): to relax or sleep
Example:
– French: “Je vais rester à la maison ce week-end.”
(I am going to stay at home this weekend.)
– English: “You need to rest after your long trip.”
(You need to relax or sleep after your long trip.)
17. Sensible vs. Sensible
Sensible (French): sensitive
Sensible (English): practical, reasonable
Example:
– French: “Elle est très sensible aux critiques.”
(She is very sensitive to criticism.)
– English: “It’s sensible to save money.”
(It’s practical or reasonable to save money.)
Strategies for Avoiding False Friends
Understanding and recognizing false friends is just the first step. Here are some strategies to help you avoid common pitfalls:
1. Context is Key
Always pay attention to the context in which a word is used. This can often give you clues about its true meaning.
2. Use a Bilingual Dictionary
A good bilingual dictionary can provide you with accurate translations and usage examples, helping you distinguish between false friends.
3. Practice with Native Speakers
Engaging in conversation with native speakers can help you become more familiar with the nuances of the language, including the proper usage of words that may be false friends.
4. Keep a Vocabulary Journal
Make a list of false friends and their correct meanings. Review this list regularly to reinforce your understanding.
5. Read Extensively
Reading books, articles, and other materials in French can expose you to the correct usage of words and help you internalize their meanings.
6. Use Language Learning Apps
Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise often have exercises specifically designed to help you avoid false friends.
Conclusion
False friends are a common challenge for English speakers learning French, but with awareness and practice, you can navigate these linguistic traps. By understanding the differences in meanings and employing strategies to reinforce your knowledge, you’ll become a more confident and accurate French speaker. Remember, the key to mastering false friends is consistent practice and exposure to the language in various contexts. Happy learning!
