These French Words Mean Completely The Opposite In English

It’s clear that when you learn a language, it can be tricky to understand everything. It’s even worse if what you think you’re hearing means the exact opposite. This handy guide will take you through the French words that actually mean the opposite of what you think.

Pas terrible

Terrible in French means the same in English, that something is terrible. But it’s a tricky word. Much like how “sick” in English slang, means that something is good, terrible can also mean the opposite in some circumstances, so it’s actually a word that is its own antonym, what we could call a contronym. If you’re talking about a person, you can say they are “terrible” and it means they are terrible. If you are talking about food or wine, “terrible” means that it’s great. Conversely, “pas terrible” means that the food or wine is bad. Confused? Try using it in practice!

French words sometimes mean the opposite

Plus

A French dictionary can’t help with the pronunciation or the context

J’ai chaud

The French language often uses “have” instead of the verb “be” to explain how people are feeling or how old they are. For example, you say “J’ai 25 ans” – I have 25 – instead of “I am 25”. You would also say, “J’ai soif” – I have thirst, and “J’ai faim” – I have hunger, and so on. So “J’ai chaud” might literally mean, “I have heat”, but in French it’s a perfect way to say you are hot. You pronounce it by saying “jay show“. If you use the verb be, “Je suis chaud(e)“, you are saying that you’re hot, but in another way – that you’re horny and sexually attractive. This might be what you mean, but make sure you get the right audience!

Many French words are the opposite of what they seem when you hear them

Quand même

Quand même is a useful expression but it has so many meanings that you can often get confused. It can be used to explain “anyway”, “even so”, “all the same”, “nevertheless”, “really”, “finally”, “how about that!” and you’ll hear it several times a day.

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