Faux amis - Q
One of the great things about learning French or English is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and English. However, there are also a great many faux amis, or false cognates, which look similar but have different meanings. This is one of the biggest pitfalls for students of French. There are also "semi-false cognates": words that can only sometimes be translated by the similar word in the other language.
This alphabetical list (newest additions) includes hundreds of French-English false cognates, with explanations of what each word means and how it can be correctly translated into the other language. To avoid confusion due to the fact that some of the words are identical in the two languages, the French word is followed by (F) and the English word is followed by (E).
Qualifier (F) vs Qualify (E)
Qualifier (F) means to describe or, in sports, to qualify.
Qualify (E) can be translated by donner à qqun les compétences/diplômes/qualifications pour (faire) qqch. In the sense of limiting one's remarks, qualify = nuancer or mettre des réserves à.
Qualité (F) vs Quality (E)
Qualité (F) is a semi-false cognate. It means both quality (e.g., of a product) and capacity or position: en sa qualité de maire - in his capacity as mayor.
Quality (E) refers to the characteristics of things or people: the quality of life - la qualité de la vie.
Quête (F) vs Quest (E)
Quête (F) is a semi-false cognate.
The main sense is a collection, but it can also be used to refer to something like the quest for the holy grail or a pursuit of the absolute.
Quest (E) can also be used for less noble pursuits: quest for a job - à la recherche d'un emploi.
Quille (F) vs Quill (E)
Quille (F) refers to a skittle, one of the pins used in the British game of ninepins, as well as to the game itself. Quille also means keel, as in the keel of a boat.
Quill (E) is the shaft of a feather - un tuyau de plume, a large wing or tail feather - une penne, and the sharp spine found on porcupines - un piquant.
Quitter (F) vs Quit (E)
Quitter (F) is a semi-false cognate: it means both to leave and to quit (to leave something for good).
Quit (E) often means to leave something for good and is translated by quitter. When it means to quit (stop) doing something, it is translated by arrêter de: I need to quit smoking - Je dois arrêter de fumer.
Archives
This alphabetical list (newest additions) includes hundreds of French-English false cognates, with explanations of what each word means and how it can be correctly translated into the other language. To avoid confusion due to the fact that some of the words are identical in the two languages, the French word is followed by (F) and the English word is followed by (E).
Qualifier (F) vs Qualify (E)
Qualifier (F) means to describe or, in sports, to qualify.
Qualify (E) can be translated by donner à qqun les compétences/diplômes/qualifications pour (faire) qqch. In the sense of limiting one's remarks, qualify = nuancer or mettre des réserves à.
Qualité (F) vs Quality (E)
Qualité (F) is a semi-false cognate. It means both quality (e.g., of a product) and capacity or position: en sa qualité de maire - in his capacity as mayor.
Quality (E) refers to the characteristics of things or people: the quality of life - la qualité de la vie.
Quête (F) vs Quest (E)
Quête (F) is a semi-false cognate.
The main sense is a collection, but it can also be used to refer to something like the quest for the holy grail or a pursuit of the absolute.
Quest (E) can also be used for less noble pursuits: quest for a job - à la recherche d'un emploi.
Quille (F) vs Quill (E)
Quille (F) refers to a skittle, one of the pins used in the British game of ninepins, as well as to the game itself. Quille also means keel, as in the keel of a boat.
Quill (E) is the shaft of a feather - un tuyau de plume, a large wing or tail feather - une penne, and the sharp spine found on porcupines - un piquant.
Quitter (F) vs Quit (E)
Quitter (F) is a semi-false cognate: it means both to leave and to quit (to leave something for good).
Quit (E) often means to leave something for good and is translated by quitter. When it means to quit (stop) doing something, it is translated by arrêter de: I need to quit smoking - Je dois arrêter de fumer.
Archives
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