actually
English
in reality, in fact
actuellement
French
currently, nowadays
Example
Actually, I disagree with you. | Actuellement, je vis à Paris.
Words that look similar to English but have different meanings. Avoid common mistakes!
False friends can be tricky! These words look similar between languages but have different meanings. Study them carefully to avoid common mistakes.
69 false friends found
English
in reality, in fact
French
currently, nowadays
Example
Actually, I disagree with you. | Actuellement, je vis à Paris.
English
in the end, finally
French
possibly, maybe
Example
She eventually agreed to come. | Je viendrai éventuellement demain.
English
place to borrow books
French
bookstore
Example
I study at the library. | Jai acheté ce livre à la librairie.
English
to be present at
French
to wait
Example
I will attend the meeting. | Jattends le bus.
English
to trick, to mislead
French
to disappoint
Example
He tried to deceive us. | Je ne veux pas te décevoir.
English
to insist, to require
French
to ask
Example
They demand better working conditions. | Je vais lui demander.
English
physical harm
French
insult
Example
He suffered a serious injury. | Cette remarque est une injure.
English
trip, travel
French
day
Example
The journey took three hours. | Jai passé une bonne journée.
English
formal presentation
French
reading
Example
The professor gave a lecture. | La lecture est importante.
English
place, position
French
rental
Example
This is a good location for a shop. | La location de la voiture coûte cher.
English
number, body shape
French
face
Example
She has a slim figure. | Il a une belle figure.
English
shop
French
blind, shade
Example
I bought this at the store. | Ferme le store, sil te plaît.
English
device for photos
French
video camera
Example
I need a new camera. | La caméra filme le concert.
English
metal money
French
corner
Example
I found a coin on the street. | Le café est au coin de la rue.
English
to involve, to participate
French
to hire
Example
We need to engage the community. | Lentreprise va engager dix personnes.
English
natural underground space
French
cellar, wine cellar
Example
We explored a cave in the mountains. | Le vin est dans la cave.
English
to relax, to take a break
French
to stay, to remain
Example
You need to rest after work. | Je vais rester à la maison.
English
to maintain, to keep safe
French
condom
Example
We must preserve the environment. | Il faut utiliser un préservatif.
English
commercial, promotion
French
warning
Example
I saw an advertisement on TV. | Cest un avertissement sérieux.
English
to help
French
to attend
Example
Can you assist me with this? | Jai assisté à la réunion.
English
to present someone
French
to insert
Example
Let me introduce my colleague. | Introduis la clé dans la serrure.
English
to disregard intentionally
French
to not know
Example
He ignored my advice. | Jignore la réponse.
English
danger, risk
French
chance, coincidence
Example
That is a fire hazard. | Cest un pur hasard.
English
knowledge from doing
French
experiment OR experience
Example
She has five years of experience. | Nous faisons une expérience en chimie.
English
impressive, magnificent
French
tall, large
Example
It was a grand celebration. | Il est très grand.
English
romantic relationship outside marriage
French
business, matter, deal
Example
He had an affair with his colleague. | Cest une bonne affaire.
English
seat with back
French
flesh, meat
Example
Please sit on the chair. | La chair de ce fruit est sucrée.
English
higher education institution
French
middle school
Example
She graduated from college. | Mon fils est au collège.
English
power, command
French
check, inspection
Example
He lost control of the car. | Il y a un contrôle de police.
French
bookshop
English
bibliothèque (a place to borrow books)
Example
J'ai acheté ce livre dans une librairie. | I borrowed this book from the library.
French
currently, right now
English
en fait, vraiment (in fact, really)
Example
Je travaille actuellement à Paris. | Actually, I prefer tea over coffee.
French
to wait
English
assister à (to be present at)
Example
J'attends le bus depuis dix minutes. | I will attend the meeting tomorrow.
French
to stay, remain
English
se reposer (to relax, take a break)
Example
Je reste à la maison ce soir. | I need to rest after this long day.
French
sensitive
English
raisonnable, sensé (reasonable)
Example
Elle est très sensible à la critique. | That's a very sensible decision.
French
rental
English
emplacement, lieu (place, position)
Example
La location de la voiture coûte 50 euros par jour. | This is a perfect location for a restaurant.
French
because, for
English
voiture (vehicle)
Example
Je ne peux pas venir car je suis malade. | I drive my car to work every day.
French
plum
English
pruneau (dried plum)
Example
J'aime manger des prunes fraîches en été. | Prunes are good for digestion.
French
internship, training course
English
scène (platform, phase)
Example
Elle fait un stage dans une entreprise de marketing. | The actor walked onto the stage.
French
day (daytime hours)
English
voyage, trajet (trip)
Example
J'ai passé une bonne journée au travail. | The journey took five hours.
French
to claim, assert
English
faire semblant (to fake, act)
Example
Il prétend connaître le directeur. | The children pretend to be superheroes.
French
to injure, hurt
English
bénir (to sanctify)
Example
Il s'est blessé en jouant au football. | May God bless you.
French
wide
English
grand (big in size)
Example
Cette rue est très large. | I need a large pizza for the party.
French
outfit, formal clothes
English
habitude (routine behavior)
Example
Il porte un habit élégant pour la cérémonie. | Reading before bed is a good habit.
French
to warn, notify
English
éviter (to prevent)
Example
Il faut avertir les autorités immédiatement. | We must avert a crisis.
French
photographer (person)
English
photographie (the picture itself)
Example
Le photographe a pris de belles photos. | This is my favorite photograph.
French
hearing, formal meeting
English
public, auditoire (spectators)
Example
Il a eu une audience avec le juge. | The audience applauded loudly.
French
corner
English
pièce de monnaie (metal money)
Example
Le magasin est au coin de la rue. | I found a coin on the ground.
French
to disappoint
English
tromper (to trick, mislead)
Example
Je ne veux pas te décevoir. | He tried to deceive me with lies.
French
dirty
English
vente, soldes (selling, discount)
Example
Ma voiture est sale après la pluie. | There is a big sale at the store.
French
bread
English
douleur (physical hurt)
Example
J'achète du pain frais chaque matin. | I have a pain in my back.
French
change, coins
English
argent (currency in general)
Example
Vous avez de la monnaie pour le parking ? | I need to save money for vacation.
French
novel
English
romain (related to Rome)
Example
Je lis un roman policier passionnant. | The Roman Empire was vast.
French
grievance, complaint
English
chagrin, douleur (sorrow)
Example
Il a des griefs contre son employeur. | She is still dealing with grief after the loss.
French
factory
English
tissu (cloth material)
Example
Cette fabrique produit des meubles. | I love the fabric of this dress.
French
grape
English
raisin sec (dried grape)
Example
Le raisin est délicieux en automne. | I like raisins in my oatmeal.
French
doctor (person)
English
médicament (medical substance)
Example
Le médecin m'a prescrit un traitement. | Take this medicine three times a day.
French
to hear
English
avoir l'intention de (to plan)
Example
Je n'entends rien, parle plus fort. | I intend to finish this project tomorrow.
French
deposit, guarantee
English
prudence, avertissement (care, warning)
Example
Le propriétaire demande une caution de 500 euros. | Proceed with caution on the wet floor.
French
to order (goods/food)
English
ordonner, diriger (to order someone)
Example
J'ai commandé une pizza pour ce soir. | The general will command the troops.
French
flesh, meat
English
chaise (furniture)
Example
La chair de ce poisson est délicate. | Please sit on this chair.
French
to attend, be present
English
aider (to help)
Example
J'ai assisté à la conférence hier. | Can you assist me with this task?
French
great, fantastic
English
redoutable (intimidating)
Example
C'est une idée formidable ! | He is a formidable opponent.
French
distress, anguish
English
détresse (same meaning)
Example
Le navire a envoyé un signal de détresse. | The child was in great distress.
French
possible, potential
English
final, définitif (happening at the end)
Example
Nous discutons des problèmes éventuels. | The eventual outcome was positive.
French
reading
English
conférence, cours magistral (formal talk)
Example
La lecture est ma passion. | The professor gave a lecture on history.
French
condom
English
conservateur (food additive)
Example
Il est important d'utiliser un préservatif. | This food contains no preservatives.
French
bridle (horse strap)
English
mariée (woman getting married)
Example
Le cavalier tient la bride du cheval. | The bride wore a beautiful white dress.
French
to not know, be unaware
English
ne pas tenir compte de (to disregard)
Example
J'ignore comment réparer cela. | Please don't ignore my messages.
French
to carry out, accomplish
English
se rendre compte (to become aware)
Example
Nous avons réalisé ce projet en trois mois. | I didn't realize you were here.
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