30 Common False French Cognates

Cognates can be a great tool when you’re learning a new language - these are words in different languages that have the same origin or root, so they’re spelled similarly or exactly the same. There are probably tons of French words you already know because they have the same meaning in English.

But watch out for false cognates! When you’re just starting to learn French and trying to converse with native speakers, you may get tripped up by using words that don’t mean what you think they mean. Check out the list below to avoid using these words in the wrong context.

Achever

Looks like: To achieve
Actually means: To finish

How to say to achieve: Atteindre

Attendre

Looks like: To attend
Actually means: To expect

How to say to attend: Participer

Bras

Looks like: Bras
Actually means: Arms

How to say bra: Soutien-gorge

Blesser

Looks like: To bless
Actually means: To injure

How to say to bless: Bénir

Caution

Looks like: Caution
Actually means: Bail

How to say caution: Mise en garde

Cave

Looks like: Cave
Actually means: Cellar

How to say cave: La grotte

Chair

Looks like: Chair
Actually means: Flesh

How to say chair: Chaise

Chance

Looks like: Chance
Actually means: Luck

How to say chance: Le hasard

Consistant

Looks like: Consistent
Actually means: Substantial, solid

How to say consistent: Cohérente

Déception

Looks like: Deception
Actually means: Disappointment

How to say deception: Tromperie

Demander

Looks like: To demand
Actually means: To request

How to say to demand: Exigir

Grappe

Looks like: Grape
Actually means: Cluster

How to say grape: Raisin

Grave

Looks like: Grave
Actually means: Serious

How to say grave: Tombe

Habit

Looks like: Habit
Actually means: Dress

How to say habit: Habitude

Journée

Looks like: Journey
Actually means: Day

How to say journey: Voyage

Location

Looks like: Location
Actually means: Rental

How to say location: Emplacement

Pain

Looks like: Pain
Actually means: Bread

How to say pain: La douleur

Partie

Looks like: Party
Actually means: Part

How to say party: Fête

Passer un examen

Looks like: To pass an exam
Actually means: To take an exam

How to say pass an exam: Réussir à un examen

Phrase

Looks like: Phrase
Actually means: Sentence

How to say phrase: Une expression

Préservatif

Looks like: Preservative
Actually means: Condom

How to say preservative: Conservateur

Prétendre

Looks like: To pretend
Actually means: To claim

How to say to pretend: Faire semblant

Regarder

Looks like: Regard
Actually means: To look

How to say regard: Ce qui concerne

Rester

Looks like: To rest
Actually means: To stay

How to say to rest: Se reposer

Sale

Looks like: Sale
Actually means: Dirty

How to say sale: Vendre

Sensible

Looks like: Sensible
Actually means: Sensitive

How to say sensible: Raisonnable, sensé(e)

Slip

Looks like: Slip
Actually means: Pants, underpants

How to say slip: Glissade

Store

Looks like: Store
Actually means: Awning

How to say store: Magasin

Surveiller

Looks like: To survey
Actually means: To monitor, to watch

How to say to survey: Mener une enquête, faire un sondage, interroger

Tentative

Looks like: Tentative
Actually means: Attempt

How to say tentative: Timide, hésitant(e)