Faux Amis — False Friends at A1

What Are Faux Amis?

Faux amis (false friends) are French words that look or sound like English words but have a different meaning. They are one of the biggest traps for English speakers.

librairie looks like 'library' — but it means bookshop.
library in French = bibliothèque.
Knowing the faux amis saves you from embarrassing mistakes.

Everyday Faux Amis — Part 1

High-frequency traps you will meet at A1.

actuellement — currently / at the moment (NOT 'actually')
actually = en fait / vraiment

assister à — to attend (a meeting, event) (NOT 'to assist')
to assist = aider

attendre — to wait (for) (NOT 'to attend')
to attend = assister à

Everyday Faux Amis — Part 2

More A1-level traps.

blesser — to injure / to hurt (NOT 'to bless')
to bless = bénir

caméra — video/film camera (NOT a photo camera)
photo camera = appareil photo

cave — wine cellar / basement (NOT 'a cave')
a cave = une grotte

Everyday Faux Amis — Part 3

More essential pairs.

commander — to order (food/goods) (NOT 'to command an army')
to command (troops) = diriger / ordonner

étudiant — university student (NOT any student)
a school pupil = un élève

librairie — bookshop (NOT 'library')
library = bibliothèque

Everyday Faux Amis — Part 4

Final set of A1 faux amis.

location — rental (of a car, flat…) (NOT 'a location')
a location (place) = un endroit / un lieu

monnaie — coins / small change (NOT 'money')
money = argent

rester — to stay / to remain (NOT 'to rest')
to rest = se reposer

Quick Summary

Don't translate by appearance — check meaning!

Faux ami	French meaning	English word it looks like	Correct French
actuellement	currently	actually	en fait
attendre	to wait	to attend	assister à
librairie	bookshop	library	bibliothèque
location	rental	location	endroit / lieu
rester	to stay	to rest	se reposer

Common Mistakes

Avoid	Use	Why
I'm waiting for the bus	J'attends le bus	attendre = to wait, NOT attend.
the library	la bibliothèque	librairie = bookshop; library = bibliothèque.
car rental	location de voiture	location = rental in French — not a place.
actually / in fact	en fait / vraiment	actuellement = currently, not actually.

Summary

Point	Form	Example
actuellement	currently	en fait / vraiment = actually
attendre	to wait	assister à = to attend
assister à	to attend	aider = to assist
blesser	to injure	bénir = to bless
librairie	bookshop	bibliothèque = library
location	rental	endroit / lieu = location/place
monnaie	coins / change	argent = money
rester	to stay	se reposer = to rest