People learning a second language might have heard of the expression "false friend." This term is used to describe words in different languages that look alike, but have different meanings.
Last month, we looked at examples of false friends in two languages, English and Spanish. Today we will tell you about another language -- French -- that has a lot of false friends, the French words faux amis, in English.
A history of faux amis
You may be surprised to learn that English gets 30 to 45 percent of its words from French. The reason goes back to the year 1066, when Norman forces invaded what is now Britain. The Normans were from northern France and spoke French. During the Norman occupation, French became the language of England's rulers and wealthy class. This lasted for more than 300 years. Other people in England continued to speak English during this period.
French began to enter the English language after the Normans invaded Britain in 1066.Over time, the two languages combined and shared words. Some researchers believe that about 10,000 French words eventually entered the English language.
However, although English took many French words, their meanings have not always stayed the same. Sometimes the differences in meanings can be very important, and lead to funny or strange situations if the words are use the wrong way.
Take, for example, the French word collège. In English, college can often be used in place of the word university, or sometimes as a school within a university. However, in French, collège actually means "middle school," or the level of schooling for students in grades five or six through eight.
The meanings of chat, journée, joli
There are many other similar words in the two languages with completely different meanings.
In English, the word chat is a verb which means "to talk casually;" but in French, the word chat is the word for an animal: a cat.
If an English speaker says someone is jolly, that means they are cheerful or friendly. But in French, jolie means someone is good-looking or pleasant to look at. In any case, both are nice things to say to someone .
Also in English, to go on a journey usually means "a long trip of some kind." But in French, a journée is simply the word for a full day. So, when you hear French-speakers say, "Bonne journée," they are telling you to have a good day – not a good trip!
Demanding or demander
In English, the verb "demand" is something you say when you have a strong need for something. It is usually an impolite way to ask for something. However, in French, the word demander is a better way "to ask" for something. The speaker is showing more consideration of the other person's feelings.
Native English speakers are often afraid to use demander when speaking French as they worry that it may sound impolite. But worry not!
Can you think of any other important false friends in French? Write to us in the Comments Section or on 51VOA.COM. Or, tell us about a funny, confusing or strange situation you have been in because of false friends in French and English.
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Words in This Storyawkward - adj. not graceful
casually - adj. done without much thought, effort, or concern
condom - n. a thin rubber covering that a man wears on his penis during sex in order to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or to prevent the spread of diseases
confuse - v. to make (someone) uncertain or unable to understand something
grade - n. a level of study that is completed by a student during one year
impolite - adj. not polite
literal - adj. involving the ordinary or usual meaning of a word