English-French false friends

actually, library, sensible, deception… the English words that look like French but mean something entirely different.

Free Updated on September 11, 2026

Classics to never mix up

English	Looks like...	Actually means	The real English word for that sense
actually	"actuellement" (currently)	in fact, in reality	currently
eventually	"éventuellement" (possibly)	in the end, finally	possibly / maybe
library	"librairie" (bookshop)	a library (for borrowing books)	bookshop
sensible	"sensible" (sensitive)	reasonable, showing good sense	sensitive
deception	"déception" (disappointment)	deceit, trickery	disappointment
achieve	"achever" (to finish)	to attain, accomplish	finish / complete
attend	"attendre" (to wait)	to be present at	wait for
large	"large" (wide)	big (size)	wide
coin	"coin" (corner)	a piece of currency	corner
pain	"pain" (bread)	physical suffering	bread
chair	"chaire" (a pulpit)	a chair (seat)	pulpit

The reverse trap (French → English)

French "Je suis excité" doesn't map cleanly onto I am excited in a formal American English professional context (it can carry an unintended connotation) — prefer I am thrilled / I am looking forward to it.
French "demander" (to ask) does not translate as demand (too strong, = to require) but as ask.

A false friend usually gives itself away through near-identical spelling paired with a meaning that just doesn't fit the sentence. If a literal translation sounds odd, check a dictionary before using it in writing.

False friends of the professional world

English	Looks like...	Actually means	The right word for that sense
assist	"assister" (to attend a meeting)	to help	attend
formation	"formation" (job training)	constitution, forming	training
supporter	"supporter" (to tolerate)	to back, to cheer for	to bear/tolerate
disposer	"disposer de" (to have available)	to throw away, get rid of	to have available
ignore	"ignorer" (to not know)	to deliberately pay no attention to	not to know

#Grammar