An almost unfathomable inventory of different words for one and the same thing.
Un inventaire incroyable de mots différents pour exprimer les mêmes choses.
Les francophones et les anglophones du Canada chantent des versions différentes de l’hymne national.
Wholesaler and distributor are two different words used to describe the same thing.
distributeur sont deux mots différents qui servent à décrire la même chose.
is any significance in the use of different words and the distinction may be
savoir si l’utilisation de termes différents avait une importance et la distinction est peut-être
Tapez et épeler des mots différents aussi rapidement que possible dans ce jeu de style
ask the same question using different words and pause again, waiting for them to answer.
posez la même question en employant des mots différents puis faites une nouvelle
The OCR will identify different words, integrated in the video or in the picture,
L’OCR, lui, va identifier les différents mots intégrés sur l’image ou vidéo et corriger
Here it’s about getting different words to coexist, but no longer just in a successive montage
Ici, il s’agit de faire coexister différentes paroles, mais plus seulement dans un montage successif
Il y avait des concepts qui utilisaient différents mots qui étaient souvent une question
combining individual probabilities for different words than using the»naive» approach.
combiner les probabilités individuelles pour les différents mots que l’approche« naïve».
Results: 105,
Time: 0.0305
English
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In many Latin languages, one can find a great number of false cognates. They are basically words that look similar but have a different meaning in the two given languages, although they might have a common historical linguistic origin. This could give the language student a hard time, but with practice and experience, they become quite familiar with such words and learn their different meanings.
There are also words that are called semi-false cognates. These words look similar and but have the same meaning sometimes only. In such cases, they have the same meaning plus other meanings in the second given language, depending on the context and connotation.
It is noteworthy that false cognates are not the same as false friends (or what we call in French “faux amis”). The latter are words or phrases in two languages (or letters in two alphabets) that look similar but have different meanings.
The list below is for a few English/French false cognates.
Actuel (F) Vs. Actual (E):
In French, the word “actuel” refers to something “at present” or “in the present time”. The English word “actual” means “real”.
Addition (F) Vs. Addition (E):
“L’addition” in French means the sum or the bill at a restaurant, while its English false cognate “addition” means just that: addition (in math for example).
Office (F) Vs. Office (E):
“Office” in French does not mean office. It actually means a task, a duty or a charge. The equivalent of office in French is bureau. In the US, the word “bureau” refers to a government department, which is completely different from the French meaning of the word!
Répliquer (F) Vs. (Replicate)
The French word “répliquer” means to reply, to answer. It is completely different from the English word “replicate”, which in French means reproduire (to reproduce) or replier (to fold back).
Report (F) Vs. Report (E):
Report in French means the postponement. The French equivalent of the English word “report” is rapport.
Assister (F) Vs. Assist (E):
“Assister à” means to attend (i.e. a meeting, a conference, etc.), while “to assist” means to help.
Attendre (F) Vs. Attend (E):
The English meaning of “attendre” is not to attend. In fact, “attendre” means to wait.
Avertissement (F) Vs. Advertisement (E):
The French word “avertissement” means a warning. The equivalent of “advertisement” in French is actually publicité. Therefore, “avertir” is not to advertise; it is to warn.
Blesser (F) Vs. Bless (E):
To bless is “bénir” in French. As for “blesser”, it means to wound.
Chair (F) Vs. Chair (E):
The French “chair” means flesh in English. The English “chair” means chaise in French.
Coin (F) Vs. Coin (E):
“Un coin” is a corner. “A coin” is “une pièce de monnaie”.
Agenda (F) Vs. Agenda (E):
The French word “agenda” means a diary. Its English false cognate translates into ordre du jour.
Rester (F) Vs. Rest (E):
Rester in French is to stay in English. To rest means se reposer in French.
The list goes on and on and I’ll probably write a second part about this subject. Please feel free to send your contributions in this regard on info@transpremium.com and I’ll be glad to publish them as a guest post!
English Words used by The French but in a very different way
When MLP arrived in France, French was a language that was tricky to grasp. It’s still very difficult to learn but it’s made even more challenging when certain words used in English are also used in French BUT with a totally different meaning! The confusion has led to some hilarious situations for MLP – revealing the frustrating french lessons of a Brit Mum! So to help you English speakers coming to or living in France – here are the top 27 English words that mean something different in French. They are either spelt the same or pronounced similarly. The French meaning is in red and the English definition is in italics underneath. To help you, MLP has produced a sound clip so you can hear the difference in the pronunciation, just click the white arrow in the red circle on the image below and enjoy!
1. Sensible – Sensitive
Done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit.
Telling someone they are very sensible in French does not mean what you think it does!
2. Magasin – Shop
Magazine: a periodical publication containing articles and illustrations, often on a particular subject or aimed at a particular readership.
Magazine EN, Revue FR
MLP went to a Kiosk, next to a shop, to ask if they had a particular magazine. The guy in the kiosk just kept pointing to the shop every time the word magazine was mentioned! Having no clue what he meant MLP picked up a magazine to show him and he just said “Ahhhhhh la revue!” Apparently if I had pronounced magazine in the English way I might’ve had more luck! Who knew!
3. Les baskets – Trainers
Basket:a container used to hold or carry things, typically made from interwoven strips of cane or wire.
Just keep visualising baskets on the feet! LOL. It’s gotta stem from Basketball right?
4. Coucou – Hi!
Cuckoo: a long-tailed, medium-sized bird, typically with a grey or brown back and barred or pale underparts. Many cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of small songbirds.
A very cute French way to say a friendly hello – but on mass, it sounds like a dawn chorus!
5.Pressing – Dry Cleaners
Requiring quick or immediate action or attention.
Pressing is also dry ironing/steaming your clothes, so there is actually a link.
6. Jogging – Tracksuit
The activity of running at a steady, gentle pace as a form of physical exercise.
Wearing jogging? Just sounds so wrong!
7. Front – Forehead, brow
The side or part of an object that presents itself to view or that is normally seen or used first; the most forward part of something.
If you want to say you want seats at the front or you were standing in front, you need to use words like avant or premier.
8. Tissue – Material
Tissue EN, Mouchoir FR
What Brits use to blow their nose!
MLP went looking for some material in a ‘magasin‘! Unfortunately nobody could understand a word, but eventually an English speaking French person was found who explained that to get what was needed MLP had to ask for ’tissue’. Totally grateful for the info but it just felt odd saying it.
9. Court – Short
A body of people presided over by a judge, judges, or magistrate, and acting as a tribunal in civil and criminal cases or to be involved with (someone) romantically, with the intention of marrying.
MLP was seriously caught short with this one!
10. Blouse – Overall
A woman’s upper garment resembling a shirt, typically with a collar, buttons, and sleeves.
Just to note, an overall in Brit english, is something you would wear if you were decorating, fixing a car or cleaning out the garden. It’s essentially a garment you don’t mind getting dirty.
11. Tape – Slap
A narrow strip of material, typically used to hold or fasten something.
and incidentally, not usually used to inflict pain on someone!
12. Blesse – Hurt
Pronounce words in a religious rite in order to confer or invoke divine favour upon.
Two words could not be more opposite! Non?
13. Attention – Be careful
Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important. e.g..“he drew attention to three spelling mistakes”
14. Spectacles – Theatre production
Glasses EN, Lunette FR
A pair of glasses
MLP just cannot get to grips with this one. Every single time we see the theatre promotions of huge spectacles the image of glasses just comes into the mind. Can’t help it!
15. Liquid – Cash
A substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like that of water or oil.
Water into wine? Liquid into cash? If only!!
16. Soldes – Sales
Past tense of sale.
The first year in #Paris. MLP was flummoxed by this word plastered everywhere. Technically if it’s sold, it can’t be bought so it just plays a little linguistic gymnastics with an English speakers mind!
17. Libraries – Bookshop
A building where books can be borrowed…not bought! Libraries in France are called biblioteques..just to make it a little easier!
18. Pain – Bread
Highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury.
Yes it is pronounced differently BUT, just cannot help thinking of the English word when seeing these letters displayed! PAIN 🙂
19. Portable – Phone
Able to be easily carried or moved
Probably the easiest one to remember!
20. Main – Hand
Chief in size or importance
21. Pates –Pasta
A persons head
This one took a while! Especially when Pasta isn’t so clearly understood.
22. Chat – Cat
Cats EN Chats FR
A conversation
The difference in pronunciation helps!
23. Pile – Battery
When things are stacked on top of each other
Asking for pills when you actually need a power source for your radio is super weird!
24. Natter – To plait
British slang term for a conversation
Nope! Still not getting it!
25. Four – Oven
The number between three and five
When we needed a new oven, that was the moment this word was discovered. Excusé moi? Say what? It’s a four!
26. Legs – Legacy
The limbs we use for walking
…and so much more, apparently!
27. Animateur – A young person who works with children
A job that involves bringing images to life, like cartoons!
People that work with kids in the UK are called youth workers so this phrase took a lot of getting used to!
So there you have it folks!
Learning a new language is a great opportunity and French is beautiful, if you can master it – but these words really make MLP chuckle as we try to make sense of them all. If you know the stories behind these translations please please share your thoughts in the comments. Lets get our head around this together. Plus let us know if you have more to add to the list.
Here endeth your first French Lesson from MLP! Hope this little bit of insight helps you out. It is certainly good to know! Forgive MLP’s translations – still learning remember! But hoping to have got them spot on. Stayed tuned to MLP. Lots more to come.
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About 45% of the English vocabulary originates from the French language. How did this happen, and what do we do with the similarities between the two languages that result in French-English words?
The modern English language has been influenced and modified by many other languages over time. One of the biggest influencers on English was Old French.
Due to the influence of French on English, there was a change in the spelling, pronunciation, and structure of Old English words.
For instance, Old English words like cwen, scip, and scolde became queen, ship, and should.
Let’s take a look at some words that French and English share in common, and what to what out for when you come across them.
French-English Words: Exploring the Similarities
There are more than 1,700 true cognates—words that are identical across the French and English.
English has certain cognates that retain their meanings most of the time.
Examples of English-French cognates include:
- brilliant – brilliant(e)
- elephant – éléphant
- extravagant- extravagant
- ignorant – ignorant(e)
- admiration – admiration
- important – important(e)
- nonchalant – nonchalant
- restaurant – restaurant
French Loan Words
Loanwords are words that have been adopted by a foreign language with little or no modification.
A few loanwords are taken as they are in French and their meanings in have been retained in English.
Some common examples are:
- Déjà vu: a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.
- Faux pas: an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.
- Avant garde: new and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature.
- À la mode: something that’s still in fashion or up to date.
English Loan Words
In the same way, certain English words have been adopted in the French language. A few examples are:
- Le selfie – A selfie
- Le sandwich – A sandwich
- L’email – An email
- Cool – Cool
- Le dressing – a dressing room
- Le footing – Running/jogging
- Babyfoot – Foosball
- Le week-end – weekend
False Friends
Some words called ‘faux amis’ or false friends are the same in both the languages but differ in their meaning.
In this case, false friends are French—English word pairings that appear to have a similar phonetic form, but they have entirely different meanings.
For example:
- Library – In English, a reservoir of books. In French, a bookstore.
- Amateur – In English, a beginner or non-professional. In French, a person who loves or is passionate about something.
- Avertissement – In English, a notice or announcement in a public medium. In French, a warning. ‘Publicité’ is the word for advertisement.
What we can learn from different French-English words
In the course of time and history, both languages have influenced each other in a big way, with French playing a significant role in structuring modern English.
Knowing the nuances (another borrowed word!) between English and French are key to providing high-quality, accurate, translation. To learn more about what experienced translators can do for your business, check out Summa Linguae’s translation services.
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Last updated:
March 10, 2023
Learning vocabulary is one of the cornerstones of learning French.
By knowing the most common vocabulary, you’ll get better at everyday communication—which gets you closer to interacting with some of the 300 million people who speak French around the world.
In this post, we’ll get you started with more than 250 easy and common French words!
You’ll be well on your way to having a solid base in the French language in no time.
Contents
- Most Common French Words
- Important French Verbs
- French Question Words
- French Household Words
- French Words for Food & Drinks
- French Words for School or Work
- French Words for Making Descriptions
- French Words for Animals & Nature
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Most Common French Words
Let’s start with some essential vocabulary that you’ll end up using a lot in French conversations:
- Bonjour ! — Hello / Good morning!
- Bonsoir ! — Good evening!
- Oui — Yes
- Non — No
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me
- Je suis désolé / Je suis désolée — I’m sorry (with an extra e if you’re female)
- S’il vous plaît — Please
- Merci — Thank you
- À bientôt — See you soon
- Bonne soirée — Good night (when saying goodbye)
- Bonne nuit — Good night (when you’re about to sleep)
- Au revoir — Goodbye
Important French Verbs
Aside from the conversational words and phrases above, you’ve also got to know the absolute most common French verbs:
- Être — to be
- Avoir — to have
- Aller — to go
These verbs are irregular, meaning they don’t follow the same rules of usage (or conjugation) that so-called regular verbs do.
Most French verbs are regular, meaning you only have to learn the endings of their group.
In French, there are three groups of so-called regular verbs, denoted by their infinitive (unconjugated) endings: -er verbs, -ir verbs and -re verbs.
Here are the most common verbs in each group:
-Er Verbs
- Parler — to speak
- Aimer — to like
- Chanter — to sing
- Danser — to dance
- Fermer — to close
- Demander — to ask
- Étudier — to study
- Regarder — to watch
- Visiter — to visit (a place)
- Habiter — to live
- Jouer — to play
- Laver — to wash
- Penser — to think
- Utiliser — to use
- Trouver — to find
- Manger — to eat
-Ir Verbs
- Finir — to finish
- Bâtir — to build
- Choisir — to choose
- Remplir — to fill
- Grandir — to grow
- Grossir — to gain weight
- Obéir — to obey
- Punir — to punish
- Réfléchir — to reflect
- Réussir — to succeed / pass (a test)
-Re Verbs
- Vendre — to sell
- Attendre — to wait
- Détendre — to relax
- Entendre — to hear
- Fondre — to melt
- Descendre — to go down / descend
- Pendre — to hang
- Perdre — to lose
- Prétendre — to claim
- Répondre — to respond
With all these different kinds of verbs, it’s handy to have a verb conjugation tool, like the one from Reverso.
Another option is to study these verbs in action with FluentU, which features authentic French videos with interactive subtitles. Click on any French verb or other word used in the video to see its definition, along with grammar notes and examples.
You can then add new words to flashcards and take personalized quizzes to grow your French vocabulary.
The language learning program is also available on iOS and Android, so you can take your French study with you wherever you go.
French Question Words
Looking for directions? Do you want to know the price of something?
Whatever you do on your trip to France, you’re definitely going to need to ask for help or direction at some point.
Here are some common expressions to help you get around:
- Où ? — Where?
- Qui ? — Who?
- Quoi ? — What?
- Quand ? — When?
- Comment ? — How?
- Pourquoi ? — Why?
- Combien ? — How much? / How many?
Of course, the beauty of learning language is to be able to communicate with native speakers, which means people might also ask you questions!
Key phrases:
- Comment vous appelez-vous ? — What’s your name?
- Je m’appelle… — I’m called…
- Quel âge avez-vous ? — How old are you?
- J’ai…ans — I’m… years old
- Vous venez d’où ? — Where are you from?
- Je suis… — I am…
des États-Unis — from the United States
du Royaume-Uni — from the United Kingdom
d’Espagne — from Spain
d’Allemagne — from Germany
du Canada — from Canada
d’Australie — from Australia
Are you from a country that’s not included on this list? Take a look at this map of the world to learn your country’s name.
French Household Words
It’s crucial to learn the French words that describe the places where we live.
Check out the following common words that denote specific rooms and spaces in our households.
- La maison — the house
- La salle — the room
- La cuisine — the kitchen
- La salle à manger — the dining room
- Le bureau — the office
- Le salon — the living room
- La chambre — the bedroom
- La salle de bain — the bathroom (may not include a toilet)
- Les toilettes — the bathroom (includes a toilet, sometimes exclusively)
- Le sous-sol — the basement
- Le grenier — attic
- La porte — the door
- La fenêtre — the window
- Le couloir — the hall
- L’escalier — the stairs
- Le mur — the wall
- Le sol — the floor
- Le plafond — the ceiling
Common words associated with rooms in the house:
- Le bureau — the desk
- L’ordinateur — the computer
- L’étagère — the bookshelf
- Le livre — the book
- La télévision — the television
- Le canapé / Le sofa — the couch
- La chaise — the chair
- La lampe — the lamp
- Le rideau — the curtain
- Le réfrigérateur — the fridge
- Le four — the oven
- La cuisinière — the stove
- L’évier — the sink
- La table — the table
- Le lit — the bed
- L’oreiller — the pillow
- La commode — the dresser
- L’horloge — the clock
- La baignoire — the bathtub
- La douche — the shower
- Les toilettes — the toilet
- La brosse à dents — the toothbrush
- Le dentifrice — the toothpaste
- Le tapis — the rug
- Le miroir — the mirror
- Le téléphone — the telephone
French Words for Food & Drinks
Hungry or thirsty? Check out the most common French words for food and drinks.
- Le restaurant — the restaurant
- Le café — the cafe / coffee
- Le thé — the tea
- Le jus — the juice
- Le lait — the milk
- Le vin — the wine
- La bière — the beer
- L’eau — water
- Le fruit — the fruit
- La pomme — the apple
- La banane — the banana
- L’orange — the orange
- La fraise — the strawberry
- Le raisin — the grape
- Les légumes — the vegetables
- La salade — the salad
- La carotte — the carrot
- La pomme de terre — the potato
- La tomate — the tomato
- La laitue — lettuce
- Le champignon — mushroom
- La viande — meat
- Le poisson — fish
- Le poulet — chicken
- Le bœuf — beef
- Le petit-déjeuner — breakfast
- Le déjeuner — lunch
- Le dîner — dinner
- Le repas — the meal
- Le goûter — the snack
- L’assiette — the plate
- Le couteau — the knife
- La fourchette — the fork
- La cuillère — the spoon
- La tasse — the cup
French Words for School or Work
Headed to a French-speaking region for employment or to study? Then the following words are essential!
- L’école — the school
- Le crayon — the pencil
- Le stylo — the pen
- Le cahier — the notebook
- La salle de classe — the classroom
- La calculatrice — the calculator
- La matière scolaire — the school subject
- L’histoire — history
- La géographie — geography
- La musique — music
- Les sciences — the sciences
- Les mathématiques — mathematics
- Le sport — sports
- Le français — French
- L’anglais — English
- Les notes — grades (marks)
- Le professeur / la professeure — the teacher
- L’étudiant(e) / L’élève — the student
The following are common words associated with jobs and work:
- L’entreprise — the company
- L’emploi — the job
- Le travail — the work
- Le dentiste — the dentist
- L’écrivain — the writer
- Le médecin — the doctor (medical)
- Le serveur / la serveuse — the waiter / waitress
- L’avocat — the lawyer
- Le caissier / la caissière — the cashier
- L’ingénieur(e) — the engineer
- Le mécanicien / la mécanicienne — the mechanic
- Le plombier / la plombière — the plumber
- Le pompier / la pompière — the firefighter
- Le policier / la policière — the police officer
- L’architecte — the architect
- Le travailleur / la travailleuse — the worker
- Le boulanger / la boulangère — the baker
- Le boucher / la bouchère — the butcher
- Le coiffeur / la coiffeuse — the hairdresser
French Words for Making Descriptions
The following are common words that can be used to describe yourself, others or inanimate things.
- Grand(e) — big
- Petit(e) — small
- Chaud(e) — hot
- Froid(e) — cold
- Intelligent(e) — smart
- Fâché(e) — angry
- Triste — sad
- Heureux / heureuse — happy
- Drôle — funny
- Jeune — young
- Vieux / vieille — old
- Nerveux / nerveuse — nervous
- Beau / belle — beautiful
- Facile — easy
- Difficile — hard
- Effrayé(e) — scared
- Ennuyé(e) — bored
- Ennuyeux / ennuyeuse — boring
- Étrange — strange
- Fort(e) — strong
- Possible — possible
- Impossible — impossible
- Sportif / sportive — athletic
Keep in mind that some adjectives change genders depending on the gender of the noun it describes.
In this list, the masculine forms are given first, with the feminine forms being either those with an added -e or the second form of the adjective.
Interested in more adjectives? Check out how to say common colors in French as well!
French Words for Animals & Nature
The following are common French words that can be used to describe animals or nature.
- Le chien — the dog
- Le chat — the cat
- Le lapin — the rabbit
- Le lion — the lion
- Le cheval — the horse
- La vache — the cow
- Le requin — the shark
- Le singe — the monkey
- Le cochon — the pig
- L’oiseau — the bird
- La souris — the mouse
- La tortue — the turtle
- Un canard — the duck
- Un crapaud — the toad
- Une grenouille — the frog
- Le soleil — the sun
- La pluie — the rain
- Le vent — the wind
- La neige — the snow
- Le nuage — the cloud
- L’éclair — the lightning
- Le tonnerre — the thunder
- L’orage — the storm
- La montagne — the mountain
- La plage — the beach
- La forêt — the forest
- La terre — soil / the earth
- La colline — the hill
- Le lac — the lake
- L’océan — the ocean
- La météo — the weather forecast
- Quel temps fait-il ? — What’s the weather?
- Il fait chaud — It is hot
- Il fait froid — It is cold
And just like that, you have 250+ words to bring your French to the next level. Practice these words often and watch your French comprehension and production vastly improve!
Bonne chance ! (Good luck!)
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)