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 […]
Did you know that August in France is … vacation for everyone!!! Maybe not literally, but a lot of businesses close, and it’s time for a little break before « la rentrée »… back to school. Sometimes August can be really hot, especially in Paris, so August is a great time to get away to […]
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