Rater, vtr : to fail, to ruin, to go wrong, to mess something up; to miss (usually something, rather than someone). The French word « rater » looks almost the same as the English word “rate.” The most common meaning of “rate” in English is “to evaluate, classify, give a rating to something;” it can […]
Passer, vi : to pass by, to drop by, to stop by, to spend time; to take an exam (NOT to pass an exam). Se passer, v pron : to happen, to occur. Se passer de, v pron + prép : to do without, to go without. The French word « passer » looks almost […]
Pain, nm : bread. The French word « pain » looks exacly like the English word “pain.” The problem is that the word “pain” has a different meaning in English than it does in French. In English, “pain” can mean figuratively “a person or a pet that is annoying ,” but in general it is […]
Librairie, nf : bookshop, bookstore. The French word « librairie » looks almost the same as the English word “library.” The most common meaning of “library” in English refers to a repository for books, whether public, private, achedemic, or personal. In French, « librairie » means “bookstore” or “bookshop.” Il faut que j’aille à la […]
Journée, nf : day, daytime The French word « journée » looks almost the same as the English word “journey.” The most common meaning of “journey” in English refers to extended travel, or a voyage. In French, « journée » means “day” or “daytime.” Les journées sont chaudes en été. The days are hot in […]
Embrasser, vtr : to kiss The French word « embrasser » looks almost the same as the English word “embrace.” Be careful with this one. The most common meaning of “embrace” in English is to give a friendly hug to someone. By the way, to give a hug to someone is not as common in […]
Chat, nm : cat The French word « chat » looks exactly the same as the English word “chat.” The problem is that the word “chat” has a different meaning in English than it does in French. In English, “chat” can mean “a casual conversation” or “an online conversation.” In French, « chat » generally […]
Bras, nm : arm The French word « bras » looks almost the same as the English word “bra.” The most common meaning of “bra” in English refers to a feminine undergarment. In French, « bras » means “arm.” Quand je suis tombée, je me suis cassée le bras droit. When I fell, I broke my […]
Bouton, nm : button, spot. The French word « bouton » looks almost the same as the English word “button,” and in fact, one of its meanings is actually “button.” Another common French meaning for the word « bouton » is “spot,” as in blemish or insect bite. Qu’est-ce que c’est que ça ? J’ai […]
Collège, nm : middle school (for ages 11 to 15) The French word « collège » looks almost the same as the English word “college.” The most common meaning of “college” in English is “the 2 or 4 year educational institution that a student attends after completing high school.” The French word « collège » […]
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