One of the great things about learning French or English is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and English. However, there are also a great many faux amis, or false cognates, which look similar but have different meanings. This is one of the biggest pitfalls for students of French. There are also "semi-false cognates": words that can only sometimes be translated by the similar word in the other language.
This alphabetical list (newest additions) includes hundreds of French-English false cognates, with explanations of what each word means and how it can be correctly translated into the other language. To avoid confusion due to the fact that some of the words are identical in the two languages, the French word is followed by (F) and the English word is followed by (E).
Oblitérer (F) vs Obliterate (E)
     Oblitérer (F) is nearly always used to mean cancel, as in a stamp. Cachet d'oblitération - postmark.
     Obliterate (E) means to do away with or to wipe out. It can be translated by effacer - to erase or to wear down or by rayer - to cross out.
Occasion (F) vs Occasion (E)
     Occasion (F) refers to a(n) occasion, circumstance, opportunity, or second-hand purchase. Une chemise d'occasion = a second-hand or used shirt.
     Occasion (E) is une occasion, un événement, or un motif.
Occupé (F) vs Occupied (E)
     Occupé (F) is from occuper - to occupy in all senses of the word. It can also mean to employ or to keep busy: Mon travail m'occupe beaucoup - My work keeps me very busy.
     Occupied (E) is the past participle of occupy - occuper, habiter, remplir.
Office (F) vs Office (E)
     Office (F) is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the meanings below, it can refer to duties, church services or prayers, or a pantry.
     Office (E) can mean the physical place where one works as well as the office or position that someone holds.
Offrir (F) vs Offer (E)
     Offrir (F) can mean to offer as well as to give (a present) or to buy something for someone.
     Offer (E) is both a noun - une offre, proposition, demande - and a verb - offrir.
Once (F) vs Once (E)
     Once (F) = ounce.
     Once (E) can mean une fois or jadis.
Opportunité (F) vs Opportunity (E)
     Opportunité (F) refers to timeliness or appropriateness: Nous discutons de l'opportunité d'aller à la plage - We're discussing the appropriateness of going to the beach (under the circumstances).
     Opportunity (E) leans toward favorable circumstances for a particular action or event and is translated by occasion: It's an opportunity to improve your French - C'est une occasion de te perfectionner en français.
Or (F) vs Or (E)
     Or (F) has two completely different meanings. It is the word for gold: or fin - fine gold. It is also a conjunction used to make a transition from one idea to another, meaning now or whereas: Je m'attendais au pire, or il attendait patiemment - I expected the worst, whereas he waited patiently.
     Or (E) is simply a conjunction used to denote an alternative; the French equivalent is ou: I need to buy a pen or a pencil - Je dois acheter un stylo ou un crayon.
Organe (F) vs Organ (E)
     Organe (F) refers to the organs of the body and international organs.
     Organ (E) is also the musical instrument orgue.
Original/Originel (F) vs Original (E)
     Original (F) can mean original in the sense of new or first as well as eccentric or odd, while originel means original in the sense of primeval - it's the adjecive for origins (e.g., original sin = le péché originel).
     Original (E) = original, originel, premier, initial.
Ostensible (F) vs Ostensible (E)
     Ostensible (F) means obvious or conspicuous: Son indifférence est ostensible - Her indifference is conspicuous.
     Ostensible (E) means apparent or supposed: His ostensible reason was to help us - Sa raison prétendu était de nous aider.
Ours (F) vs Ours (E)
     Ours (F) is a bear.
     Ours (E) is the possessive pronounle nôtre.
Ouverture (F) vs Overture (E)
     Ouverture (F) is a semi-false cognate. In addition to overture, it the French word for opening.
     Overture (E) means ouverture or avance.
Archives
This alphabetical list (newest additions) includes hundreds of French-English false cognates, with explanations of what each word means and how it can be correctly translated into the other language. To avoid confusion due to the fact that some of the words are identical in the two languages, the French word is followed by (F) and the English word is followed by (E).
Oblitérer (F) vs Obliterate (E)
     Oblitérer (F) is nearly always used to mean cancel, as in a stamp. Cachet d'oblitération - postmark.
     Obliterate (E) means to do away with or to wipe out. It can be translated by effacer - to erase or to wear down or by rayer - to cross out.
Occasion (F) vs Occasion (E)
     Occasion (F) refers to a(n) occasion, circumstance, opportunity, or second-hand purchase. Une chemise d'occasion = a second-hand or used shirt.
     Occasion (E) is une occasion, un événement, or un motif.
Occupé (F) vs Occupied (E)
     Occupé (F) is from occuper - to occupy in all senses of the word. It can also mean to employ or to keep busy: Mon travail m'occupe beaucoup - My work keeps me very busy.
     Occupied (E) is the past participle of occupy - occuper, habiter, remplir.
Office (F) vs Office (E)
     Office (F) is a semi-false cognate. In addition to the meanings below, it can refer to duties, church services or prayers, or a pantry.
     Office (E) can mean the physical place where one works as well as the office or position that someone holds.
Offrir (F) vs Offer (E)
     Offrir (F) can mean to offer as well as to give (a present) or to buy something for someone.
     Offer (E) is both a noun - une offre, proposition, demande - and a verb - offrir.
Once (F) vs Once (E)
     Once (F) = ounce.
     Once (E) can mean une fois or jadis.
Opportunité (F) vs Opportunity (E)
     Opportunité (F) refers to timeliness or appropriateness: Nous discutons de l'opportunité d'aller à la plage - We're discussing the appropriateness of going to the beach (under the circumstances).
     Opportunity (E) leans toward favorable circumstances for a particular action or event and is translated by occasion: It's an opportunity to improve your French - C'est une occasion de te perfectionner en français.
Or (F) vs Or (E)
     Or (F) has two completely different meanings. It is the word for gold: or fin - fine gold. It is also a conjunction used to make a transition from one idea to another, meaning now or whereas: Je m'attendais au pire, or il attendait patiemment - I expected the worst, whereas he waited patiently.
     Or (E) is simply a conjunction used to denote an alternative; the French equivalent is ou: I need to buy a pen or a pencil - Je dois acheter un stylo ou un crayon.
Organe (F) vs Organ (E)
     Organe (F) refers to the organs of the body and international organs.
     Organ (E) is also the musical instrument orgue.
Original/Originel (F) vs Original (E)
     Original (F) can mean original in the sense of new or first as well as eccentric or odd, while originel means original in the sense of primeval - it's the adjecive for origins (e.g., original sin = le péché originel).
     Original (E) = original, originel, premier, initial.
Ostensible (F) vs Ostensible (E)
     Ostensible (F) means obvious or conspicuous: Son indifférence est ostensible - Her indifference is conspicuous.
     Ostensible (E) means apparent or supposed: His ostensible reason was to help us - Sa raison prétendu était de nous aider.
Ours (F) vs Ours (E)
     Ours (F) is a bear.
     Ours (E) is the possessive pronounle nôtre.
Ouverture (F) vs Overture (E)
     Ouverture (F) is a semi-false cognate. In addition to overture, it the French word for opening.
     Overture (E) means ouverture or avance.
Archives
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