False Friends Between English and French
July 25, 2026 · Sourov · 1 min read
⏱ 5 Minutes · B1/B2
📖 From Experience
When I was reaching French C1 level, English kept ambushing me. I told my neighbour I was embarrassed — and used the French word I thought matched. In French, embarrassé can mean ‘bothered’ or ‘cluttered’. In English, embarrassed means red-faced with shame. Different word, different disaster.
📚 Common False Friends
| English word | Looks like (French) | French word actually means | What English means |
|---|---|---|---|
| embarrassed | embarrassé | bothered / cluttered | ashamed, red-faced |
| actually | actuellement | currently, right now | in fact, really |
| sensible | sensible | sensitive | showing good judgement |
| library | librairie | bookshop | place to borrow books |
| eventually | éventuellement | possibly, perhaps | in the end, at last |
| assist | assister à | attend (a show/meeting) | to help someone |
✏️ Your Turn
Which word is correct?
- She is very ___ about noise. She needs total silence. (sensible/sensitive)
- I went to the ___ to borrow a novel. (library/bookshop)
- He didn’t like it at first, but ___ he changed his mind. (eventually/actually)
- ___, I think you misunderstood. I was not criticising you. (Eventually/Actually)
💡 Check Answers
- sensitive (reacts to things)
- library (borrowing, not buying)
- eventually (in the end, after time)
- Actually (= in fact — correcting a misunderstanding)
Independent project — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
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