FRENCH TUTOR PARIS -False Friends in French: Don’t Get Tricked!

Avoid common mistakes in French! Discover 5 false friends (faux amis) that English speakers often mix up, with examples and tips from Caroline French Tutoring.

False Friends in French: 5 Tricky Words You Need to Know

Learning French as an English speaker? Watch out for false friends—those sneaky words that look the same in both languages but have totally different meanings! At Caroline French Tutoring, I help students avoid these common traps every day.

Here are 5 classic faux amis you should remember:

1. Actuellement – It doesn’t mean actually, but currently.→ Je travaille actuellement à Paris. (I’m currently working in Paris.)

   
   

2. Library / Librairie – A librairie is a bookstore, not a library!→ Je vais à la librairie pour acheter un roman.

   
   

3. Sensible – In French, it means sensitive, not reasonable.→ Il est très sensible, surtout avec les animaux.

   
   

4. Assister à – This means to attend, not to assist.→ J’ai assisté à un concert hier soir.

   
   

5. Monnaie – It’s change (coins), not money.→ Tu as de la monnaie pour le café ?

   
   

Want to learn more French with confidence and clarity? Book a lesson with me at Caroline French Tutoring and say goodbye to confusing words!