22 French faux amis ready to trip you up
Save yourself from embarrassment and confusion next time you speak French by learning these common false friends
Librairie
What you think it means: Library
What it actually means: Bookshop
A better French word to use: Bibliothèque
Joli
What you think it means: Jolly
What it actually means: Pretty/Attractive
A better French word to use: Enjoué
Chair
What you think it means: Chair
What it actually means: Flesh
A better French word to use: Chaise
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Blanquette
What you think it means: Blanket
What it actually means: Meat stew
A better French word to use: Couverture
Piles
What you think it means: Pills (as in for a headache)
What it actually means: Batteries
A better French word to use: Aspirine
Excité
What you think it means: Excited
What it actually means: Aroused
A better French word to use: Enthousiaste
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Sensible
What you think it means: Sensible
What it actually means: Sensitive
A better French word to use: Raisonnable
Acompte
What you think it means: Account
What it actually means: Deposit or Down Payment
A better French word to use: Compte
Assister
What you think it means: Help/ Assist
What it actually means: Attend an event
A better French word to use: Aider
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Achèvement
What you think it means: Achievement
What it actually means: Completion/Culmination of something
A better French word to use: Accomplissement
Demander
What you think it means: Demand
What it actually means: Ask
A better French word to use: Exiger
Monnaie
What you think it means: Money
What it actually means: Change / Loose coins
A better French word to use: L’argent
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Actuellement
What you think it means: Actually
What it actually means: Currently
A better French word to use: En fait
Agenda
What you think it means: Agenda
What it actually means: Diary
A better French word to use: Programme du jour
Procès
What you think it means: Process
What it actually means: Trial
A better French word to use: Processsus
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Déception
What you think it means: Deception
What it actually means: Disappointment
A better French word to use: Tromperie
Coin
What you think it means: Coin
What it actually means: Corner/In the local area
A better French word to use: Pièce de monnaie
Journée
What you think it means: Journey
What it actually means: Day
A better French word to use: Voyage
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Rester
What you think it means: Rest
What it actually means: Stay
A better word to use: Se reposer
Tissu
What you think it means: Tissue
What it actually means: Fabric/Material
A better word to use: Mouchoir
Veste
What you think it means: Vest
What it actually means: Jacket
A better word to use: Maillot de corps
Cave
What you think it means: Cave
What it actually means: Wine cellar
A better word to use: Grotte
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