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cover of episode FYW 201 : PART 6 – Common false friends (= faux amis) in French and English

FYW 201 : PART 6 – Common false friends (= faux amis) in French and English

2018/12/12
logo of podcast French Your Way Podcast: Learn French with Jessica | French Grammar | French Vocabulary | French Expressions

French Your Way Podcast: Learn French with Jessica | French Grammar | French Vocabulary | French Expressions

Shownotes Transcript

Many words in French and English are similar or look similar. That’s lucky because it helps with learning vocabulary faster. However, these words sometimes means something very different in the two languages! In this case, they are called “faux amis”, false friends, or false cognates. Here’s a list of 5 common false friends so you don’t make the mistake!

Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode

Dramatique = tragic, terrible ; dramatic (effect)

Dramatic = théâtral; spectaculaire (noticeable change)

Une cave = a cellar une cave à vin = a wine cellar

A cave = une grotte

Chips (nf) = crisps

Chips / (French) fries = frites (nf)

Le courage = bravery, courage; guts courage = energy, strength, heart

Je n’ai plus le courage de finir ce travail. = I no longer have the energy to finish this job.

Bon courage = Good luck

Figure = un chiffre (number); un montant (amount of money) une silhouette = a person seen as a shape la ligne = a body shape un dessin (drawing), une sculpture The figure of a dog he made in art class was very impressive.= Le dessin de chien qu’il avait fait en cours d’arts plastiques était très impressionnant. a public figure = une personnalité

La figure = the face (of body); face/look

Tu aurais vu sa figure/ sa tête à l’annonce de la nouvelle ! = You should have seen his face when he heard the news!

A figure = (gram.) a turn of phrase, a figure of speech

Figuré,e = figurative

Figure = figure (geometry, movement) eg in ice skating or gymnastics

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