20 words pronounced differently in French and English but spelled almost the same

Multibhashi

Introduction:

Language is a fascinating aspect of culture that often surprises us with its quirks and idiosyncrasies. One such phenomenon is the presence of words that look nearly identical in French and English but sound entirely different. In this blog, we'll explore 20 such words that will not only pique your interest but also help you navigate the intricate world of language.

  • Café (French) vs. Cafe (English):
  • Pronunciation: kah-FEY (French) vs. kaf-AY (English)
  • Meaning: Coffee shop in French, the drink in English.
  • Hôtel (French) vs. Hotel (English):
  • Pronunciation: oh-TEL (French) vs. ho-TEL (English)
  • Meaning: Accommodation in both languages.
  • Restaurant (French) vs. Restaurant (English):
  • Pronunciation: reh-staw-RAHN (French) vs. REST-uh-rawnt (English)
  • Meaning: A place to eat in both languages.
  • Garage (French) vs. Garage (English):
  • Pronunciation: gah-RAHZH (French) vs. guh-RAHJ (English)
  • Meaning: A place to park vehicles in both languages.
  • Ballet (French) vs. Ballet (English):
  • Pronunciation: bah-LEH (French) vs. BAL-ay (English)
  • Meaning: A dance form in both languages.
  • Hotel (French) vs. Hotel (English):
  • Pronunciation: oh-TEL (French) vs. ho-TEL (English)
  • Meaning: Accommodation in both languages.
  • Amateur (French) vs. Amateur (English):
  • Pronunciation: ah-mah-TUHR (French) vs. AM-uh-ter (English)
  • Meaning: A non-professional in both languages.
  • Table (French) vs. Table (English):
  • Pronunciation: tahBL (French) vs. TAY-buhl (English)
  • Meaning: A piece of furniture in both languages.
  • Costume (French) vs. Costume (English):
  • Pronunciation: koh-STUM (French) vs. kah-STOOM (English)
  • Meaning: Clothing or outfit in both languages.
  • Caféine (French) vs. Caffeine (English):
  • Pronunciation: kah-FEY-een (French) vs. kaf-EEN (English)
  • Meaning: A chemical compound found in coffee and tea in both languages.
  • Diplôme (French) vs. Diploma (English):
  • Pronunciation: dee-ploh-MEY (French) vs. duh-PLOH-muh (English)
  • Meaning: An official document in both languages.
  • Directeur (French) vs. Director (English):
  • Pronunciation: dee-REHK-tuhr (French) vs. duh-REK-ter (English)
  • Meaning: A person in charge in both languages.
  • Édition (French) vs. Edition (English):
  • Pronunciation: ey-dee-SYOH(N) (French) vs. uh-DISH-uhn (English)
  • Meaning: A version or issue in both languages.
  • Musique (French) vs. Music (English):
  • Pronunciation: myoo-ZEEK (French) vs. MYOO-zik (English)
  • Meaning: Sound in both languages.
  • Exposition (French) vs. Exposition (English):
  • Pronunciation: ehk-spoh-ZI-SYO(N) (French) vs. ek-spuh-ZI-shuhn (English)
  • Meaning: A public display or exhibition in both languages.
  • Émotion (French) vs. Emotion (English):
  • Pronunciation: ey-moh-SYO(N) (French) vs. ih-MOH-shuhn (English)
  • Meaning: A feeling or sentiment in both languages.
  • Réalité (French) vs. Reality (English):
  • Pronunciation: rey-ah-lee-TAY (French) vs. ree-AL-i-tee (English)
  • Meaning: The state of being real in both languages.
  • Communication (French) vs. Communication (English):
  • Pronunciation: koh-myoo-nee-KA-SYO(N) (French) vs. kuh-myoo-ni-KAY-shuhn (English)
  • Meaning: The act of conveying information in both languages.
  • Éducation (French) vs. Education (English):
  • Pronunciation: ey-doo-kah-SYO(N) (French) vs. ej-oo-KAY-shuhn (English)
  • Meaning: The process of acquiring knowledge in both languages.
  • Tradition (French) vs. Tradition (English):
  • Pronunciation: trah-di-SYO(N) (French) vs. truh-DISH-uhn (English)
  • Meaning: A cultural practice passed down through generations in both languages.

Conclusion:

 Language can be a source of endless fascination, especially when we discover words that look so similar but sound entirely different in different languages. These 20 examples showcase the rich diversity and quirks of both French and English, making language learning a thrilling adventure. Whether you're a linguist, a traveler, or simply someone curious about the world, these words offer a delightful glimpse into the intricate tapestry of human communication.