False Friends
False friends are pairs of words in two languages that look or sound similar but differ significantly in meaning. They can lead learners into amusing or embarrassing mistakes if relied on uncritically.
Actual
The English word actual corresponds to French réel or véritable, while French actuel means "current" or "present." Use réel for "actual" to avoid confusion.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| actual | réel | actuel | current |
| actual | véritable | actuel | présent |
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Library
English library translates as French bibliothèque, whereas French librairie is a bookstore. Ask for a bibliothèque when you want to borrow books, not a librairie.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| library | bibliothèque | librairie | bookstore |
| library | médiathèque | librairie | libraire |
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Attend
English attend corresponds to French assister à when referring to events, while French attendre means "to wait." Use assister à for "attend" and attendre for "wait" to be precise.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| attend (event) | assister à | attendre | wait |
| attend | assister à | attendre | patienter |
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Sensible
English sensible translates as French raisonnable, while French sensible means "sensitive" or easily affected. Use raisonnable for "sensible" and sensible for "sensitive" to match nuances.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| sensible | raisonnable | sensible | sensitive |
| sensible | raisonnable | sensible | vulnérable |
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Assist
English assist meaning "to help" is aider in French; French assister usually means "to attend" an event. Use aider for help and assister à for attendance to avoid slips.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| assist (help) | aider | assister à | attend |
| assist | aider | assister | aider |
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Eventually
English eventually (in the end) is French finalement or enfin, while French éventuellement means "possibly." Use finalement for "eventually" and avoid éventuellement to prevent misinterpretation.
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| eventually | finalement | éventuellement | possibly |
| eventually | enfin | éventuellement | peut-être |
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Comprehensive
English comprehensive (thorough, complete) translates as French complet or approfondi, whereas French compréhensif describes someone understanding or tolerant. Use complet for "comprehensive" and compréhensif for "understanding."
| English Word | French Word | French Word | English Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| comprehensive | complet | compréhensif | understanding |
| comprehensive | approfondi | compréhensif | tolérant |
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Summary
False friends trick learners when similar-looking words differ in meaning across English and French. Double-check key terms like actuel, librairie, attendre, sensible, assister, éventuellement, and compréhensif so you say exactly what you mean.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025