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There are many French words that look English words but their meaning is totally different. These words are called false friends because they confuse both English and French people.

In this article, we’re going to share with you a list of common French false friends that will help you out. Check out the list of English-French false friends shared in the below passage to avoid creating confusion.

1. 1.       Ancient/Ancieni

We all know that English word ancient means something that is related to past civilization, people or culture. Whereas in French it means an old soldier that is totally different as compare to English dictionary.

1. 2.       Attend/Attendre

English word attend mean to be present at a meeting or to take part in a function. However, when we talk about French, so the meaning is opposite it means to wait for someone special.

1. 3.       Blessed/Blesse

French word blesse means to injure someone emotionally or physically. While English blessed words mean bringing happiness and thankfulness which we use to wish someone.

1. 4.       Button/Bouton

In English button means a small circle disc that is used to fasten garments. And in French dictionary, Bouton means pimples that are normally seen on teenager’s skin.

1. 5.       Money/Monnaie

If we talk about English money means an item that is acceptable for payment. When we talk about French word “Monnaie” then it means loose change (coins) which we hardly find in our pockets.

1. 6.       Deception/Déception

In the French dictionary, the word deception means to be disappointed. When it comes to English, then it means the action of cheating someone.

1. 7.       Envy/Envie

English word envy means a desire to have any good quality. On the other hand, French word “envie” means desire to have anything including humans. If you said “J’ai envie de toi” so it means I want you.

1. 8.       Grand/Grand

In French language grand means great personality like Steve jobs was a great leader. But in English grand means something too big like this is a great event (big event).

1. 9.       Grape/Grappe

All of us know that grape is a popular fruit which is botanically a berry. While French people use grappe word for banana. It means if you want to buy banana in France so you will say “J’ai envie de grappe.”

1. 10.   Jolly/Jolie

French people use jolie word to give complement to girls, i.e. you’re looking pretty. And in English jolly words mean in a good spirit or feeling of joy. Next time when you meet a beautiful French girl so you can please her by saying “tu es jolie.”

1. 11.   Journee/Journey

This is the most common false friend because in English it means a trip and in French it means a day. You too can wish a French person by saying “bonne journee” without sending him on journey.

1. 12.   Library/Librairie

We all have read free books in our schools and the college library but in French library you can’t borrow a book instead you’ll need to buy it. So basically in French librairie word means a book shop.

1. 13.   Location/Location

It is also a very confusing word as location means rental in French dictionary while we think the location is a place. So, next time don’t confuse if you see an advertisement in which you read “locations de vacances.”

1. 14.   Coin/Coin

In French coins means corner, while in English it is a loose change. If someone says you in the French language “coin de la rue” then s/he is asking for a street corner not loose change.

1. 15.   Pass/Passer

French word passer doesn’t mean to pass an exam instead it means to sit in exams. Now onwards if you’re French friend say “J’ai passé” so you understand that s/he is not talking about passing an exam.

Author Bio

Raymond Bishop is the author of this blog. He is an Academic Counselor of an online academic consultancy enterprise. For needy students, he provides the finest assignment help in UK. His hobbies include cycling, boating, and rafting. You can contact him on Google Plus.