{"id":118793,"date":"2023-07-28T05:27:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T09:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-cognates\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T06:58:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T11:58:43","slug":"french-cognates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-cognates\/","title":{"rendered":"160+ Useful French Cognates"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are plenty of essential vocabulary words that you can easily pick up, thanks to cognates. Cognates are words that have the same linguistic origin between two languages. Generally speaking, they look similar and have the same or similar meanings.<\/p>\n

It’s no secret that languages often exchange words, but French and English<\/a> take this to a new level with the sheer number of words they share. Here are 160+ French cognates, tips for recognizing more and some common false cognates to watch out for.
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Nouns<\/h2>\n

Many cognates are nouns, because names don’t depend on grammar, meaning languages can exchange these words easily. Take a look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Absence <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Absence<\/td> Libert\u00e9 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Liberty<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accident <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Accident<\/td> Mat\u00e9riel <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Material<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Banane <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Banana<\/td> Musique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Music<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ballet <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Ballet<\/td> Nation <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calculatrice <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Calculator<\/td> Objectif <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Objective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capital <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Capital<\/td> Op\u00e9ra <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Opera<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9bat <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Debate<\/td> Op\u00e9ration <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Operation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9cision <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Decision<\/td> Pardon <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Pardon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diff\u00e9rence <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Difference<\/td> Passion <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Passion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9dition <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Edition<\/td> Peintre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Painter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9motion <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Emotion<\/td> Qualification <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Qualification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9nergie <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Energy<\/td> Qualit\u00e9 <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Quality<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Famille <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Family<\/td> Question <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Question<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Festival <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Festival<\/td> Raisin <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Raisin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G\u00e9n\u00e9ration <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Generation<\/td> R\u00e9volution <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Revolution<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gr\u00e2ce <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Grace<\/td> Satisfaction <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Satisfaction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guitare <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Guitar<\/td> Service <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Histoire <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>History<\/td> Transaction <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Transaction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horreur <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Horror<\/td> T\u00e9l\u00e9vision <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Television<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H\u00f4pital <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Hospital<\/td> Uniforme <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Uniform<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Impression <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Impression<\/td> Univers <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Universe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Information <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Information<\/td> Vacances <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vacation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Invitation <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Invitation<\/td> Visiteur <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Visitor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Journal <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Journal<\/td> Vocabulaire <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vocabulary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Juin <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>June<\/td> Wagon <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Wagon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kilogramme <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Kilogram<\/td>Xylophone<\/a><\/em><\/td>Xylophone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kilom\u00e8tre <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Kilometer<\/td> Yaourt <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Yogurt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Langue <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Language<\/td> Z\u00e9ro <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Zero<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Adjectives<\/h2>\n

French and English also share many adjective cognates. Below is a list of some examples in their masculine forms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Absolu <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Absolute<\/td> L\u00e9gal <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Legal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acceptable <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Acceptable<\/td> Logique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Logical<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Basique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Basic<\/td> Magnifique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Magnificent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Britannique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>British<\/td> Mental <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Mental<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Catholique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Catholic<\/td> Nerveux <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Nervous<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Clair <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Clear<\/td> Naturel <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Natural<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dangereux <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Dangerous<\/td> Ordinaire <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Ordinary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dramatique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Dramatic<\/td> Original <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Original<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9lectrique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Electric<\/td> Parlementaire <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Parliamentary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entier <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Entire<\/td> Particulier <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Particular<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fabuleux <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Fabulous<\/td> Romantique <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Romantic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fr\u00e9quent <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Frequent<\/td> R\u00e9gulier <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Regular<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graduel <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Gradual<\/td> Sensible <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sensible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G\u00e9n\u00e9reux <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Generous<\/td> Sinc\u00e8re <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Sincere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horrible <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Horrible<\/td> Traditionnel <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Traditional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ill\u00e9gal <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Illegal<\/td> Transparent <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Transparent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Immense <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Immense<\/td> Urgent <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Urgent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Important <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Important<\/td> Vuln\u00e9rable <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Vulnerable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaki <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>Khaki<\/td>X\u00e9nophobe<\/a><\/em><\/td>Xenophobic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Verbs<\/h2>\n

And here are some French verbs shared with English:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Abandonner<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To abandon<\/td> Limiter<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To limit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accepter<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To accept<\/td> Mentionner<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To mention<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bloquer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To block<\/td> Modifier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To modify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capturer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To capture<\/td> Naviguer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To navigate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C\u00e9l\u00e9brer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To celebrate<\/td> Noter<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To note<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Changer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To change<\/td> Observer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To observe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Communiquer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To communicate<\/td> Obtenir<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To obtain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9truire<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To destroy<\/td> Poss\u00e9der<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To possess<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u00e9cider<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To decide<\/td> Pr\u00e9senter<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To present<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9diter<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To edit<\/td> Qualifier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To qualify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Encourager<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To encourage<\/td> R\u00e9pondre<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To respond<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9tablir<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To establish<\/td> R\u00e9server<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To reserve<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9tudier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To study<\/td> R\u00e9sister<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To resist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fasciner<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To fascinate<\/td> Toucher<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To touch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finir<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To finish<\/td> Transformer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To transform<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gouverner<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To govern<\/td> Unir<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To unite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Harceler<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To harass<\/td> Utiliser<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Identifier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To identify<\/td> Valider<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To validate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ignorer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To ignore<\/td> Varier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To vary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Justifier<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To justify<\/td> Zoomer<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>To zoom in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

How to Recognize More French Cognates<\/h2>\n

Words in English that have certain endings are likely to have similar forms in French.<\/p>\n

Here’s a list of common English word endings and a small sample of cognates for each. You can play the audio for the French and see the English word in parentheses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
English Word Ending<\/th>Cognate Examples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
-able<\/td> adorable<\/em> <\/a>\n (adorable), recyclable<\/em> <\/a>\n (recyclable)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-al<\/td> animal<\/em> <\/a>\n (animal), international<\/em> <\/a>\n (international)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ance<\/td> ambulance<\/em> <\/a>\n (ambulance), importance<\/em> <\/a>\n (importance)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ant<\/td> \u00e9l\u00e9phant<\/em> <\/a>\n (elephant), restaurant<\/em> <\/a>\n (restaurant)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ary<\/td> dictionnaire<\/em> <\/a>\n (dictionary), salaire<\/em> <\/a>\n (salary)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ct<\/td> insecte<\/em> <\/a>\n (insect), respect<\/em> <\/a>\n (respect)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ence<\/td> ind\u00e9pendance<\/em> <\/a>\n (independence), science<\/em> <\/a>\n (science)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ent<\/td> adolescent<\/em> <\/a>\n (adolescent), paiement<\/em> <\/a>\n (payment)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ible<\/td> visible<\/em> <\/a>\n (visible), possible<\/em> <\/a>\n (possible)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ical<\/td> critique<\/em> <\/a>\n (critical), \u00e9thique<\/em> <\/a>\n (ethical)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ion<\/td> prononciation<\/em> <\/a>\n (pronunciation), r\u00e9gion<\/em> <\/a>\n (region)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ist<\/td> artiste<\/em> <\/a>\n (artist), sexiste<\/em> <\/a>\n (sexist)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
-ly<\/td> imm\u00e9diatement<\/em> <\/a>\n (immediately), normalement<\/em> <\/a>\n (normally)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Common False Cognates in French<\/h2>\n

20 Common French False Friends<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n