25 French Words that DON'T MEAN what you think they mean

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  • Опубліковано 11 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 203

  • @KimberlyGreen
    @KimberlyGreen 3 роки тому +94

    Interestingly ... the English word "bra" is a short form of the original French word "brassière", a woman's "under-bodice". And brassière comes from "bracière" which mean 'arm protector". It was something you pull over your arms and harness around your shoulders, just like a modern-day women's garment, but with sleeves. And in French, the word arm is "bra". It all comes full circle.

    • @learnfrenchwithalexa
      @learnfrenchwithalexa  3 роки тому +18

      Wow Kimberly, I've never thought about it like that! So interesting!!

    • @johnc3094
      @johnc3094 3 роки тому +1

      Yes, and the real word for bra in french is "soutien-gorge". I always thought that meant "hold up the throat", but I learned that gorge can also mean bosom.

    • @rhodiusscrolls3080
      @rhodiusscrolls3080 3 роки тому +2

      Yes you can have great fun sounding out why we use brassiere and the French say soutien gorge. In French Canada I believe they use brassiere as we do and also talk about char rather than voiture.

    • @ithinkdnfisrealbutidk3548
      @ithinkdnfisrealbutidk3548 3 роки тому +2

      @@learnfrenchwithalexa plzzzz make part 2

    • @AmmadAsim
      @AmmadAsim 2 роки тому

      Dear Madame Alexa, video is coming as blank, only audio is coming, has it been blocked ?

  • @brayanzabala3982
    @brayanzabala3982 3 роки тому +16

    Thank you very much Alexa! It would be nice if you make a video explaining the most common mistakes people make in French.

  • @Justme77400
    @Justme77400 3 роки тому +39

    In American English chips are chips in French too. In the UK chips are crisps. More confusion. LOL

    • @awaken0131
      @awaken0131 3 роки тому +1

      Because French borrowed this word from American English. ;D

    • @poyntz55
      @poyntz55 3 роки тому

      In Australia crips are called chips, actual chips are called hot chips..... aarrgghhh

    • @awaken0131
      @awaken0131 3 роки тому +2

      @DaRealJacky Having a longer history doesn't mean it did not borrow from American English. You have to look up at the time when this word was borrowed. Anyway, I apologise if I am wrong.

    • @brugges
      @brugges 2 роки тому

      @@awaken0131 We (the French) indeed borrowed "chips" from the Americans. Chip is an English word, which means "copeau" in French.

  • @RosasAzulesBlanc
    @RosasAzulesBlanc 3 роки тому +3

    @Madame Alexa.Vous êtes extrêmement Super ! Un excellent professeur ! Ma langue maternelle est l'anglais. Je suis, aussi, professeur de Français. J'ai beaucoup appris sur votre chaîne. Merci, Madame Alexa.

  • @simonledoux8519
    @simonledoux8519 3 роки тому +5

    This is a good list. I knew them all except I needed to be reminded about le store. Also, I have always said les croustilles in French for chips but I lived a while in Quebec and there are just certain anglicisms that are not encouraged. Some people may say "les chips" but the word les croustilles appears on every bag of potato chip. I also prefer mais soufflé for popcorn and racinette for root beer.

  • @Wolfickle
    @Wolfickle 3 роки тому +15

    Oh yes, Perfect timing for you to upload a video and remind me your channel exists! I have my French exam tomorrow!!!

    • @Wolfickle
      @Wolfickle 3 роки тому +4

      @@aliaeselim9842 oh wow, what a coincidence

    • @guerric
      @guerric 3 роки тому +3

      @@aliaeselim9842 bonne chance à vous deux

  • @suzannerey3684
    @suzannerey3684 3 роки тому +2

    What a great channel! So appreciative of your French lessons!

  • @Justme77400
    @Justme77400 3 роки тому +43

    I had to give up bread, now I'm in pain!! 😀

    • @learnfrenchwithalexa
      @learnfrenchwithalexa  3 роки тому +5

      😂😂😂😂

    • @lanrebakare5299
      @lanrebakare5299 3 роки тому +1

      @@learnfrenchwithalexa hi

    • @AshriyaJaveed
      @AshriyaJaveed 3 роки тому +1

      Wait why? What happened? Did you consult a medical professional?

    • @flowerfields2379
      @flowerfields2379 3 роки тому +2

      @@AshriyaJaveed it's a joke. Pain is the french word for bread🤭

    • @Justme77400
      @Justme77400 3 роки тому

      @@AshriyaJaveed Insulin resistance. I wanted to lose weight and I have. Twenty six pounds in three months.

  • @saharl.simmons4147
    @saharl.simmons4147 3 роки тому +18

    Absolutely love this channel! You make learning French so easy! Thank you!

  • @tvsmed
    @tvsmed 3 роки тому +4

    Super entertaining. I'm an 'advanced' beginner, got 13 correct. Thanks for yet another educating and entertaining video.

  • @darsusvilla805
    @darsusvilla805 2 роки тому

    I am from India and love learning French from you as i can understand easily

  • @mildlyrad7294
    @mildlyrad7294 3 роки тому +4

    I am so glad for this lesson. I always get so confused!

  • @mythilivaradhansr4247
    @mythilivaradhansr4247 3 роки тому

    My French exam today thx for teaching French in last minute ......understood well. Really helpful

  • @pujarinichowdhury8916
    @pujarinichowdhury8916 3 роки тому +3

    Votre maniere d'enseignement est fabulous et tres interesting,vraiment .

    • @NatalieRD
      @NatalieRD 3 роки тому

      Oui, je l'adore. ❤️

  • @rohannakate3246
    @rohannakate3246 3 роки тому +5

    Madame pouvez-vous faire des vidéos sur l'écriture de dialogues.

  • @natkhat7697
    @natkhat7697 3 роки тому

    I just love your videos as they are so interesting not just because of the way u explain but also your accent and funny personality ❤

  • @bmilano1580
    @bmilano1580 3 роки тому +7

    I'm just constantly like What? Really? Lool!
    Please do another one! This is so entertaining for a french learner!^^

  • @yusufharun7071
    @yusufharun7071 3 роки тому +1

    Nice presentation!

  • @someonefemale4195
    @someonefemale4195 3 роки тому

    Thank you. I happened upon your channel to hear the days of the week and make sure my pronunciation is correct. They are very similar in Spanish and I am also learning that language. I enjoyed so much that I have subscribed as I continue to improve in learning French and speaking it properly.

  • @baneenal-hosaene3069
    @baneenal-hosaene3069 3 роки тому +7

    I Love alexa 😍😍😍😍🌹🌹🌹🥰🥰

  • @StaceAyyy
    @StaceAyyy 3 роки тому +1

    Is there a difference between 'fabrique' and 'usine'? I've only learned the word 'usine' for factory, so I'm wondering if they mean the same thing or if they have subtle differences.

  • @peterlblystone2326
    @peterlblystone2326 2 роки тому

    "Librairie" normally means "bookstore" or "bookshop,", but it can indeed sometimes mean "library" when the word is applied to a series of books that make up a series, such as the "Modern Library" or "Everyman's Library.."

  • @cheyguvera9680
    @cheyguvera9680 2 роки тому

    French is very beautiful language and good exercise fr face and ms.alexa way of teaching is highly adorable.

  • @Kingkubzzy
    @Kingkubzzy 3 роки тому +2

    Merci beaucoup 🙏

  • @johnclark4669
    @johnclark4669 3 роки тому +6

    Un store is my favourite faux ami because I would never have guessed it in a million years to mean a blind!

    • @learnfrenchwithalexa
      @learnfrenchwithalexa  3 роки тому +1

      It's always the ones you least expect... 😅

    • @imho2278
      @imho2278 3 роки тому +1

      He stared at the store and went blind.
      Now you know it.

  • @sidiqihdyajan5938
    @sidiqihdyajan5938 3 роки тому +1

    Bonne soir et merci pour la video

  • @kingpanav2889
    @kingpanav2889 3 роки тому +1

    you are the best teacher

  • @annabelholland
    @annabelholland 3 роки тому +3

    What about "location"? Example, "location des maisons". It means house rentals

  • @yassermaher1560
    @yassermaher1560 3 роки тому +1

    Amazing video as always

  • @johnfdm123
    @johnfdm123 3 роки тому +3

    I think this video would have been better if it had included, with each example, the French translation of the English word each faux ami looks like. (e.g. "If you want a tissue, ask for a 'mouchoir en papier.'") She did mention the French word "raisin" in the "grappe" entry, but that was the only one.

  • @davethesid8960
    @davethesid8960 3 роки тому +2

    You're the best French teacher out there! Love your videos!
    PS: My MAIN concern is holding HANDS with my girlfriend in public..

    •  3 роки тому +2

      It's an excellent memorizing technique :)

    • @davethesid8960
      @davethesid8960 3 роки тому

      @ Thanks.

  • @anaperez907
    @anaperez907 3 роки тому +1

    Nice! Thank you....😊❤

  • @maheshwarrao5438
    @maheshwarrao5438 3 роки тому

    I like your channel and it very helpful to me to learn and pronounce the words in proper way

  • @FifalianaFR
    @FifalianaFR 3 роки тому +1

    Me being native French speaker and finding this very interesting and entertaining to watch...😄

  • @a_night7112
    @a_night7112 3 роки тому

    I love her lectures !!!!

  • @fernandopereiracastro7237
    @fernandopereiracastro7237 3 роки тому

    Merci bcp pour votre video Alexa.
    Ça ce très util pour tous. Il y a beaucoup des faux amis en Francais/espagnol aussi.
    I would like you do another video on spanish/french faux amis soon.

  • @LisaSoulLevelHealing
    @LisaSoulLevelHealing 2 роки тому

    C'est un excellent video, merci!

  • @thatdevika9377
    @thatdevika9377 3 роки тому

    Your videos are really helpful

  • @danncorbit3623
    @danncorbit3623 Рік тому

    For me, it took a while to remember the correct meaning of 'Demande' because it is almost an opposite in English. In French, we are asking nicely. In English we are giving a stern order.

  • @ankita_das_18
    @ankita_das_18 3 роки тому +2

    Love you from India 🇮🇳❤️

  • @Delvareus
    @Delvareus 2 роки тому +1

    Great! You also happened to explain why "Au Bon Pain" was a terrible name for a bakery in the US and why they failed here.

  • @terrymahoney3709
    @terrymahoney3709 3 роки тому +4

    un coin--all this time people been throwing corners into fountains.

  • @teniyadhingra2295
    @teniyadhingra2295 3 роки тому

    I always like ur video before i watch..alexa u a fantastic teacher.

  • @muhammadislamjorat2463
    @muhammadislamjorat2463 2 роки тому

    Thank you

  • @sitaramdeen4922
    @sitaramdeen4922 3 роки тому

    Hi Alexa thank you I have learn a lot I am familiar with a few of the words

  • @Mr-dk1dh
    @Mr-dk1dh 3 роки тому +6

    Smart and beautiful🔥

  • @Carol-tv7pz
    @Carol-tv7pz 3 роки тому

    Merci Alexa. Best Wishes!

  • @sarahobeid1374
    @sarahobeid1374 3 роки тому

    I always follow your videos, thank you for your efforts and time.

  • @gagandeepkaur2694
    @gagandeepkaur2694 3 роки тому

    Can you please make a video on counting and how to make simple sentences and also for pronunciation

  • @cucphuong9801
    @cucphuong9801 3 роки тому

    There's a joke that you don't want to mess with the French because they have pain for breakfast

  • @susanhonegger9987
    @susanhonegger9987 3 роки тому

    It would be nice to introduce each of these words in a full sentence. It might make it easier to remember them. Also to mention the French for the false ami

  • @Franceballneedtohavesub
    @Franceballneedtohavesub 3 роки тому

    Greece:life is of so pain
    France:je is a fairy
    France: pain pain 🥖
    France: better?
    Greece: yes

  • @doreennagadya1372
    @doreennagadya1372 3 роки тому

    Merci beaucoup 😍😍

  • @troystreacker8829
    @troystreacker8829 3 роки тому

    A lot of American English ( I’d assume British too but I can’t assume) have French words that are now derivatives and mean simmering but not exactly. Cave = a cellar makes sense in that it’s your personal cave, Library in American English is a place full of books but in Latin Library is bibliotheca so it makes sense Bible and library in European Latin based languages would be separated. I’m going to need to watch more of this Channel this was great!

  • @vaishalikhosla9615
    @vaishalikhosla9615 2 роки тому

    please add a video on pronom relatif dont

  • @sffd5580
    @sffd5580 3 роки тому

    Thanks

  • @sebastianpereira5348
    @sebastianpereira5348 6 місяців тому

    says: un car is not a car, it's a coach
    shows: a bus

  • @Penosuze
    @Penosuze 3 роки тому

    Merci beaucoup madame

  • @mathboy1066
    @mathboy1066 3 роки тому

    Preservatif is interesting as it is not a preservative like jam it is something completely different.

  • @imho2278
    @imho2278 3 роки тому

    I would be glad if you said what the word was. Eg..'libraire is bookshop, not library. Library is....' at that moment we are curious and highly receptive to the answer. Quick learning.

  • @leandrosanchotene1125
    @leandrosanchotene1125 Рік тому

    Interesting how so many words are similar in meaning and sound with some portuguese words'. "Collège', for instance, in portuguese you could say"colégio" or "escola".

  • @ruthmasih2233
    @ruthmasih2233 3 роки тому

    Bonjour, Merci beaucoup

  • @nancybrennan2438
    @nancybrennan2438 3 роки тому

    Love these lessons. In American English, though, les chips would be chips (potato chips). In European English chips/les chips would be Crisps. (Right? I'm just a beginner....)

  • @karunanidhi1877
    @karunanidhi1877 3 роки тому

    V nice .. lesson

  • @TheIceman50
    @TheIceman50 3 роки тому +1

    Unlike our cousins in France, in Québec, we make an effort to avoid English words where we can use a perfectly good French one. For instance « gardienne » for ´babysitter’ or « courriel » instead of ´mail’ as they do in France. So we have the word « croustilles » for ´chips’.

    • @joshuddin897
      @joshuddin897 3 роки тому

      Good for you.

    • @clintonfernandez9197
      @clintonfernandez9197 3 роки тому

      Languages are constantly evolving and as has been the case for millennia, through trade, shifts in population, communication, etc. words are shared, sometimes acquire new meanings, and become part of the vocabulary.
      In Britain, you put your child in a creche, eat courgette, roquette, aubergine and gateau, and prepare coffee in a cafetiere.

  • @IH8Sprinkles
    @IH8Sprinkles 3 роки тому

    at 3:00 what are crisps because those look like a bag of chips to me

  • @preranajoshi9526
    @preranajoshi9526 3 роки тому +1

    Et plus foux amies est CRIER which means to shout not cry the word for cry is PLEURER .

  • @ruthmasih2233
    @ruthmasih2233 3 роки тому

    Bonjour madame merci beaucoup

  • @vaishalikhosla9615
    @vaishalikhosla9615 2 роки тому

    i have loved your way of teaching but why is it that very few videos are available for level b1

  • @yousufhassan1206
    @yousufhassan1206 3 роки тому

    I learn french language nice process with duolingo and elix

  • @nmgr30
    @nmgr30 3 роки тому

    I went crazy with regardé, it sounds like regards to me and it was crazy!!

  • @brigittecrendal1965
    @brigittecrendal1965 3 роки тому

    Super Alexa et pour bien séparer mais ne pas laisser les étudiants en l'air est-ce que vous pourriez faire le clip complément qui donnerait les traductions pour le faux ami par exemple Vest = gilet
    Pain = douleur etc...
    Bra = Soutien-gorge etc...
    Merci pour votre vidéo très précieuse !

  • @vuaizanzibar4209
    @vuaizanzibar4209 3 роки тому +1

    Bonjour Madame Je m'appelle Vuai, je viens de Zanzibar en Tanzanie, il y a quelque symbole que s'utilise beaucoupe en Français, comme
    1) ^ le nome et utilisation
    2) ` le nome et utilisation
    3) ' " " " "
    4) °° " " " "
    Comme dans l'example
    1) î
    2) è
    3) é
    4) ï

  • @alex.adavak
    @alex.adavak 3 роки тому +1

    What is a coach? Is this like a traveling bus?

  • @amruthayadav453
    @amruthayadav453 3 роки тому

    I love ur videos 🤗Bisou Bisou

  • @abdulcader888
    @abdulcader888 3 роки тому

    I blinked thousand times when une chair showed picture of hand named flesh.😉

  • @seberatresor
    @seberatresor 2 роки тому

    Thx Alexa

  • @letsspeakfrenchgh7120
    @letsspeakfrenchgh7120 3 роки тому

    Bravo

  • @abaesel
    @abaesel 3 роки тому

    In the US, what you call crisps in the UK are in fact chips. And what you call chips are fries or French fries. So des chips DO mean chips in American English.

  • @evelynlopez6472
    @evelynlopez6472 3 роки тому +1

    I just realized a lot of words in french are similar to Spanish. For me french is easier to learn than English since I am fluent in spanish.

  • @garyobermuller1014
    @garyobermuller1014 3 роки тому +1

    une "veste" est très difficile pour moi parce que la mot son même comme- la d'anglais mais sont différentes.

    • @imho2278
      @imho2278 3 роки тому

      Et puis..il y a veston.

  • @johnc3094
    @johnc3094 3 роки тому

    The most confusing for me as a student were: actuellement, which means "now" and not "in fact". Also "déception" which means "disappointment" not deceiving.

    • @fablihaislam6386
      @fablihaislam6386 3 роки тому +1

      Actuellement is "currently", Maintenant is "now"

    • @johnc3094
      @johnc3094 2 роки тому

      @@fablihaislam6386 Not much difference in "now" and "currently" but I appreciate the nuance learned!

  • @bugsby4663
    @bugsby4663 3 роки тому

    Another one is sensible, which is sensitive in French.

  • @nidhi200
    @nidhi200 3 роки тому +1

    3rd comment !!! .. thank you so much for the video !!❤❤💜💜...
    I 💜 you alexa 😊!

  • @poyntz55
    @poyntz55 3 роки тому +1

    Hi Alexa, I think une chair is the one that most confuses me.

    • @learnfrenchwithalexa
      @learnfrenchwithalexa  3 роки тому

      Haha very confusing, although you rarely hear 'une chair' by itself 😅

  • @gardenbee583
    @gardenbee583 3 роки тому

    Interestingly, in the language Marathi in India the word “ pav”means bread. Wonder how or why it sounds like French.

  • @matilda5174
    @matilda5174 Рік тому

    le car is the most confusing for me. When people say "J'ai voyagé en car" It sounds like I travelled by car.....but it means I travelled by coach...

  • @juanfran579
    @juanfran579 2 роки тому

    Les "faux amis" sont toujours compliqués entre les langues. On les trouve entre tous, par exemple entre français et espagnol: grapa in Spanish is egrafe in French. I would expect it to be grappe. When you wait you use esperar in Spanish which is hope in French but not wait. For wait you use attendre which you can take for atender which wouldn't correspond to the English attend either but means in Spanish to serve somebody or pay attention to somebody. The tricky thing is that you often take a meaning for granted which can be embarrassing at times. Il faut payer beaucoup d'attention especialement avec des verbes abstractes qui changent beaucoup entre les langues.

  • @elmexicanoamericanolatino13
    @elmexicanoamericanolatino13 3 роки тому

    How do we say the names other the game in French? Comment ce di les noms du jouets dans français

  • @BlissParadigm
    @BlissParadigm 3 роки тому

    I would say the most confusing for me is Une Bosse, (a bump)

  • @robertrich6993
    @robertrich6993 3 роки тому

    The one (of many) I have trouble with is "propre"--because it fools you twice!!!

    • @sebastiencomte1468
      @sebastiencomte1468 3 роки тому

      Dificult indeed. propre means clean but it means own too (like in ma propre voiture = my own car"

  • @MH-se5dy
    @MH-se5dy 2 роки тому

    Never mix up the french "rapé" and the english "rape"... I once told my American husband I am prepping a salad with raped carrots. His facial expression was priceless.

  • @mishl4329
    @mishl4329 3 роки тому

    I find it confusing when travail means work and not travel.

  • @ghulamsarwar4781
    @ghulamsarwar4781 3 роки тому +2

    Trés bien Madame

  • @Kirtibhatla
    @Kirtibhatla 3 роки тому

    It is interesting

  • @heavymuseum
    @heavymuseum 3 роки тому

    The difficult confusions are the arms and hands, le mans et le main.

    • @ereno5475
      @ereno5475 3 роки тому

      The same thing happend to me in english "the hand and the head"

  • @margf.6773
    @margf.6773 3 роки тому

    In the U.S., we do not call fried potato slices "crisps" - they are actually called "chips", the same as in French.

  • @sheyoniscrazy4657
    @sheyoniscrazy4657 3 роки тому

    you make great learning videos it would be great if you made on for homophones

    • @中国杨
      @中国杨 3 роки тому

      mur, mûr, mûre, mure(v.murer)
      ton, thon, tond(v.tondre)
      Lol

  • @soepadolma9438
    @soepadolma9438 3 роки тому

    Hi madam
    I have one request you that if you can please explain how to come the
    Je me reveille
    Tu m'aide
    Nous vous je ne sais pas bien compris le fonctionnement

  • @ralphtomlinson4520
    @ralphtomlinson4520 3 роки тому +1

    En Louisianne, "la camèra" veut dire l'appareil-à-photo, mais c'est anglicisme. L'anneau veut dire "la bague". On oye "licence" et "patente", toutes le deux, mais la premiàre est anglicisme, aussi. En quelques paroisses louisiannaises, on utilise "secondaire"; en autres, "lycée", "Collège" veut dire institution post-secondaire; anglicisme aussi. En Louisianne, c'est "le char". Pour la voiture, on a besoin de chevaux. Au Canada; "secondaire" veut dire la même que ça veut dire en Louisianne; aussi "le char". "Le char" et "secondaire", eux-autres sont anglicismes. .
    L'erreur qui les anglophones font souvent est quand qu'eux-autres disent "actuellment". Franchement, eux-autres vouliont "en verité".

    • @simonledoux8519
      @simonledoux8519 3 роки тому

      Au Québec et dans les autres province ou il y a des francophones, je crois qu'on dit le char aussi. Patente aussi au Québec. Est-ce que vous êtes franco louisianais?

    • @ralphtomlinson4520
      @ralphtomlinson4520 3 роки тому

      @@simonledoux8519 Mon hérédité, c'est français, mais j'us pas cajun. Je parle le patois cajun à cause que comme garçon, nous-autres avions nénaine cajunne. 'A me parloit presquement toujours en français, sauf quand qu'eje fusse canaille.
      Quelque chose drôle, ej'utilise les grosseries québecoises. Comme de raison, la nénaine enseigne pas les grosseries à ses protégés. À la secondaire, ej'avoie ami de Montréal et ami de Québec. Eux-autres m'ont ensiegné leurs grosseries. Comme jeune-homme, ej'habitoie à Montréal............et pîs, eje parle le patois cajun d'enfant mélangé avé le patois québecois de jeune homme.

    • @simonledoux8519
      @simonledoux8519 3 роки тому

      @@ralphtomlinson4520 C'est tres bien! J'ai aussi passé pas mal de temps au Quebec. Ça me manque beaucoup.