Did you know that not all languages have nouns and verbs as distinct categories. While many languages do have nouns and verbs, some languages do not have specific words for these grammatical categories. Additionally, some languages may have alternative systems of classification. That’s another reason why French was the best second language for me. With […]
So there you have it! 300 words that you already knew are French cognates! Since July, we have looked at so many words that are English / French cognates that can be identified by their endings: -tion, -sion, al, -able, -ible, -ance, – ence, -ant, -ent, -ct. And then there are other French cognates that […]
Did you know that many English words have a close French equivalent with circumflex? Just as a little reminder from my 05.20.2025 « Saviez-vous que … » post: in most situations, the accent circumflex (^) is indicating that the accented letter was followed by one or more letters in Latin that have now disappeared. Many […]
Did you know that many words that end in -ly in English have an equivalent in French ending in -ment ? Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ly absolutely – absolument (adv) correctly – correctement (adv) directly – directement (adv) especially – spécialement (adv) evidently – évidemment (adv) exactly – exactement (adv) finally […]
Did you know that many words that end in -ist in English have their equivalent as -iste in French: Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ist artist – artiste (nm / nf) cyclist – cycliste (nm / nf) dentist – dentiste (nm / nf) We will take a look at French cognates ending […]
Did you know that many words that end in -ical have their equivalents as -ique in French Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ical alphabetical – alphabetique (adj) analytical – analytique (nf / adj) critical – critique (nmf / adj) dramatic – dramatique (nf / adj) electrical – électrique (adj) ethical – éthique […]
Did you know that many words that end in -ary in English have their equivalent as -aire in French: Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ary anniversary – anniversaire (nm) (in French anniversaire means birthday) arbitrary – arbitraire (adj) contrary – contraire (adj) dictionary – dictionnaire (nm) extraordinary – extraordinaire (adj) imaginary – […]
Did you know that many words that end in -ct are the same in French and English? Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ct contract – contrat /contracter (nm / vtr) correct – correct(e) (adj) direct – direct(e) (adj) distinct – distinct(e) (adj) exact – exact(e) (adj) impact – impact (nm) insect – […]
Did you know that frequently English words ending in -ant or -ent are true cognates for the same or similar word in French? Most of these words are adjectives or masculine nouns, and a few are feminine nouns. Some examples: (this is not a comprehensive list) -ant brilliant – brillant(e) (nm / adj) elephant – […]
Did you know that France will celebrate L’assomption (Assumption Day) on Friday, August 15? Assumption Day is a Catholic holiday celebrating the day when Mary ascended to heaven, according to tradition. Catholics attend a special mass that day, but everyone enjoys the long weekend. In smaller cities, you may find parades happening where statues of […]
© Debbie en français 2026. Powered by WordPress