English to French translation - Common Mistakes

 1. Je suis plein(e) ≠ I’m full

After a good meal, we say: j’ai bien mangé and not je suis plein(e)

2. Je manque toi ≠ I miss you

There is a lesson with a video to explain this very special verb in French: To Miss

3. Préservatifs ≠ Preservatives

Un préservatif is a condom in English, and Preservatives are conservateurs

4. I am from Spain

It is not really French to say: je suis d’Espagne but just je suis Espagnol(e)

5. He broke his leg: Il a cassé sa jambe

Il a cassé sa jambe is a translation word for word but does not sound French, we prefer to use a reflexive verb with things related to the body: il s’est cassé la jambe

6. Well done: bien fait

Again, bien fait is a translation word for word but the meaning of this French expression is different, when you say Bien fait to someone you want to say serve you right! It may also well made, un meuble bien fait. Don’t mix this expression with bienfait (in one word) which means a blessing or a benefit.

7. Actually: Actuellement

Actually means En fait in French and for this reason, many French people say in fact instead of actually!
Actuellement is currently

8. Eventually: éventuellement

Eventually means finalement in French
Éventuellement means possibly

9. To drive: conduire

Speaking about distance we use the expression “aller en voiture” and not “conduire”:
I drive to Paris: je vais à Paris en voiture and not je conduis à Paris.

10. To fly: voler

The same thing for To fly, we use “aller en avion”: Je vais à Londres en avion dimanche prochain