Free French lessons – false friends

One of the most mind-boggling things about learning French is the sheer number of false friends you keep coming across, even in the first few months of learning the language.

False friends, or false cognates, are words that look very similar, or even identical, in English and French, but have entirely different meanings.

Innocent looking words like maîtriser, licencier, sensible, fournitures or supporter,
can cause laughter, embarrassment, confusion, misunderstandings and, in more serious situations, could even lose you a business contract, or win you an expected slap on the face.

To help avoid them, the free French lessons on this blog will regularly introduce you to everyday French false friends. In each lesson I’ll give you a list of twenty French words and their correct English translation.

If you have any suggestions or comments regarding French false friends, please post a comment below. Perhaps you have a favorite one, or an anecdote you want to share?

Do you know how to use these twenty French words? See their English translation here.

French false friends – faux amis
maîtriser	?	licencier	?
sensible	?	fournitures	?
supporter	?	actuel	?
démissioner	?	assister	?
attendre	?	conseils	?
demander	?	réclamer	?
donner	?	divertissement	?
éventuel	?	ignorer	?
informations	?	journée	?
location	?	situation	?