Many words in French and English are similar or look similar. That’s lucky because it helps with learning vocabulary faster. However, these words sometimes means something very different in the two languages! In this case, they are called “faux amis”, false friends, or false cognates. Here’s a list of 5 common false friends so you don’t make the mistake!

Dramatique = tragic, terrible ; dramatic (effect)

Dramatic = théâtral; spectaculaire (noticeable change)

Une cave = a cellar

A cave = une grotte

Chips (nf) = crisps

Chips / (French) fries = frites (nf)

Le courage = bravery, courage; guts

Je n’ai plus le courage de finir ce travail. = I no longer have the energy to finish this job.

Bon courage = Good luck

Figure = un chiffre (number); un montant (amount of money)

La figure = the face (of body); face/look

Tu aurais vu sa figure/ sa tête à l’annonce de la nouvelle ! = You should have seen his face when he heard the news!

A figure = (gram.) a turn of phrase, a figure of speech

Figuré,e = figurative

Figure = figure (geometry, movement)

There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose mine, and I’m grateful for that. If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the side or bottom of this page.

Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they’re extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally!

Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live!

The post FYW 201 : PART 6 – Common false friends (= faux amis) in French and English appeared first on French Your Way.