If you’ve ever travelled to France, or to another
French-speaking country, or delighted in a French-language book or movie,
perhaps you’ve come across words that sound oh-so-familiar, yet seem to have an
entirely different meaning. Words like “actuellement,” “librairie,” or “souvenir.”
Because of the many shared roots of the
English and French languages, there are many instances where a = a and b = b (e.g.
a table = “une table” and a document =
“un document”); but there are also many cases where two identical-looking words
are not…identique.
Here are a few examples to whet your appétit!
French English
actuellement
– actually
In French, actuellement means “now” or “currently,” whereas the English
“actually” indicates what’s real or truly exists.
envie
– envy
If you have “une envie de faire quelque
chose,” it means you wish to do something, like perhaps visit the vallée de la
Loire, or go to the Louvre. If you have “envy” though, you might be eyeballing
those en route to the airport…
librairie
– library
The “librairie” is where you go to purchase
your new, pristine copy of “Du Côté de
Chez Swann” or other oeuvre; whereas, the library is where you go to borrow a
copy.
entrée
– entrée
So, these two words aren’t so far apart in
meaning (both make reference to the world of cooking). But, in French, an
“entrée” is the main course of your meal, whereas the English “entrée” is an
appetizer.
menu
– menu
This is a mistake I’ve commonly made –
going to a restaurant, and asking for “un menu.” If you want to investigate the
restaurant’s general offerings, you ask for “une carte,” but if you want a set
deal (starter, main dish, and dessert), “un menu” is the way to go.
photographe
– photograph
Here, it’s the “e” that makes the
difference! “Photographe,” in French, is the person capturing the picture,
while in English, “photograph” is what the photographer captures.
and...
soldes – sold
Now, it’s the season of “les soldes” in
France. In French, “soldes” means “sales,” while in English, “sold” is the past
tense of “to sell” (vendre).
What other false friends have you
encountered on your literary/cultural/travel journeys? Let us know in the
comments section below!
*a.k.a “false cognate” – two
identical-looking words in two different languages that have different meanings
