English - French Vocabulary Issues: FALSE FRIENDS

False Friends are pairs of words (in different languages) that bear a resemblance to each other, but carry different meanings. They can cause embarrassing misunderstandings and, in extreme cases, even communication breakdown.

Here’s the list I’ve prepared for you. The words highlighted in pink are the most common mistakes my students make. I hope it helps!

As usual, you can get the printable version (with the ANSWER KEY) by clicking HERE.

Cheers,

Kasia.

ENGLISH WORD	FRENCH TRANSLATION	SIMILAR FRENCH WORD	ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Actually	En fait	Actuellement	At present / Currently
Caution	Prudence (f)	Caution (f)	Guarantee / Deposit / Bail
(to) Charge	Faire payer	Charger (camion ; voiture; fusil ; camera)	*Load (truck; car ; gun ; camera) *Charge (battery)
Comprehensive	Complet /Total /Poyvalent	Compréhensif	Tolerant / Understanding / Sympathetic
(to) Deceive	Tromper	Décevoir	Disappoint
Deception	Tromperie (f)	Déception	Disappointment
Delay	Retard	Délai	Time limit / Wait
Engaged	Occupé / Fiancé	Engagé	Commited / Involved
Eventually	Finalement	Eventuellement	Possibly
(to be) Fortunate	Avoir de la chance	Fortuné	Rich / Wealthy
Gentle	Doux	Gentil	Nice / Kind
Grip	Prise (f) / Poignée (f)	Grippe	Flu
Habit	Habitude (f)	Habit (m)	Outfit
Hazard	Danger	Hasard	Luck / Coincidence
Indulge	Se faire plaisir	Indulgence	Indulgence / mais aussi Leniency
Lecture	Conférence / Cours / Leçon / Morale	Lecture	Reading
Location	Emplacement / Endroit	Location	Renting / Rental / Hire
Medicine	Médicament	Médecin	Doctor
Mercy	Miséricorde (f)	Merci	Thank you
Petrol	Essence (f)	Pétrole (m)	Oil
Phrase	Expression (f)	Phrase	Sentence
Preservative	Conservateur (m)	Préservatif (m)	Condom
(to) Prevent	Empêcher	Prévenir	(to) Warn
(to) Regard	Considérer	Regarder	(to) Look at
(to) Resume	Reprendre	Résumer	(to) Sum up
Rude	Impoli	Rude	Rough (beard) / Hard (work)
Sensible	Raisonnable	Sensible	Sensitive
(to) Supply / Supplier	Fournir / Fournisseur (m)	Supplier	(to) Beg
Sympathetic	Compatissant	Sympathique	Nice / Friendly
Tissue (Muscle tissue)	Mouchoir (m) (Tissu)	Tissu	Fabric (Cloth)

PRACTICE:

Fill the gaps with correct forms of the words given below:

DECEIVE – DISPOSE – FORTUNATE – HABIT – ACTUALLY – DELAY – ENGAGED – EVENTUALLY – MERCY – SENSIBLE – SENSITIVE – SUIT – PROPER – PREVENT – TISSUE - NOTICE – INCONVENIENT

1. She arrived at an extremely …………inconvenient…….moment.
2. He ……………………………………..of the murder weapon.
3. It’s a formal party, so you must wear a ……………………………….
4. I don’t think we should show any ………………………….to murderers.
5. I’m not Anna’s sister. ……………………………….., I’m her cousin.
6. I have a terrible cold; have you got a ……………………..for me?
7. What can we do to ……………………………………global warming?
8. Be ………………………………..! You shouldn’t quit your job without any other options available.
9. Peter is very ……………………………… He has won the lottery twice!
10. Put these files in their …………………………place!
11. I’m sorry for the ……………………………….; I got stuck in a traffic jam.
12. My skin is very…………………………………; that’s why I avoid sunbathing.
13. I always brush my teeth before breakfast; it’s a …………………………..
14. Stop reminding me about the report! I’ll do it………………………………….
15. If you want to quit, you need to give a two-month ………………………………..