Norman Darlo
French and English share tens of thousands of similar words, thanks to the Normans who conquered England almost a thousand years ago, bringing their language with them. Some are identical in spelling and meaning, so-called vrais amis (‘true friends’), but some are faux amis (‘false friends’) and have been the cause of many an awkward moment in international conversation! For each question, I’ll give you a French word, and you just need to choose the correct meaning from the choices below. Sounds easy? That’s because it is!
If you like this quiz, be sure to check out my 130 Amazing Quizzes on a Wide Variety of Topics! – “Guaranteed to make you smarter!”
Cover image: Creative Commons.
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Question of
What does the French word ‘invisible’ mean?
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Invisible
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Inevitable
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In plain view
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Question of
Librairie
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Library
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Bookshop
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Flea market
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Question of
Urgent
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Lustful
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Money
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Urgent
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Question of
Slip
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Underpants
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Slip
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Contraceptive
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Question of
Préservatif
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Preservative
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Condom
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Lifeboat
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Question of
Blessé
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Injured
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Cursed
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Blessed
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Question of
Danger
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Dangle
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Discomfort
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Danger
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Question of
Logo
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Logo
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Word
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Lego
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Question of
Brasserie
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Brassiere
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Brewery
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Armoury
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Question of
Luxurieux
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Spartan
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Luxurious
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Lustful
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Question of
Massage
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Massage
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Message
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Catholic mass
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Question of
Monnaie
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Loose change
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Money
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Oil painting
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Question of
Déception
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Reception
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Deception
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Disappointment
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Question of
Here’s a fun one to finish. Rat means rat. De means of. Bibliothèque means library. What do you think the idiom ‘rat de bibliothèque’ might mean?
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Library rat (No! Not this one!)
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Bookworm 🙂
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A poor 11 out of 14. Really bad for a French Canadian born and raised and schooled. My excuse is that I am just as English as French for having worked more than half of my life in English. I do not know why I have always gotten Librairie mixed up with Library. I know that it is a bookstore but I can never get it right. Oh well the fact remains it was a great quiz.
Well I’m glad you enjoyed the quiz, and 11/14 really isn’t a score to be beating oneself up about, regardless of your high expectations 😉
8 out of 14. I didn’t realize I had taken this before. The last time was 5 out of 14 so my guessing is improving.
That, or maybe even you’ve unconsciously retained some of the answers! 🙂
I have trouble retaining English.
7 out of 14 right. Interesting quiz!
Well done. Lapka! 50% is a pass 🙂
Yuh-huh, 6/14, it’s great for my knowledge of French level!!!
Yup, I rocked it. I want a gold star.
? Voici une étoile d’or juste pour toi ! Congratulations ?
This was hard, I only got 5 correct. Very cool quiz, wow.
It was meant to be hard, Kim! Thanks for having a go 🙂
Got 7 out of 14, I have never been good with french.
Well you got 50% so that’s not too bad, Nela! Thanks for playing 🙂
6/14. They were the five that meant the same, and the not-rat gift at the end. 😀 About what I expected for an antipodean.
I bet you’d beat me at a Maori quiz 😉
Six out of fourteen! Fun quiz, thank you!
Good try, Michelle! Thank you for taking the quiz 🙂
You got 7 out of 14 right!
Not so bad
Interesting quiz!!
I would have made a fool of myself with some of them …
Many people including myself have put their foot in it with several of these, Ali! Thanks for playing 🙂
Four out of 14 on this quiz.
LOL DPG It was meant to be tricky and it was! Thanks for playing 🙂
My pleasure to take your quizzes on this site.
8/14 – it’s a long time since I passed my French O-level!
Well you got a pass here too, even if not with flying honours 🙂 Oh, those false friends!
At least I’m consistent – I only scraped a pass back in 1967!
I gott7 out of 14, and it was a lot of fun.
You got a pass – just about 😮 Thanks for taking the quiz, LaJenna 🙂
got12 of 14 i hope it
Very nice score, Imran! Thanks for taking part 🙂
Ooops….I got only 4 correct! Fun quiz though!
LOL Never mind the score, if you had fun, Mom 🙂
Yes, always have fun with your quizzes!
You got 9 out of 14 right!
Great
Okay, you got through! Thanks for playing, Branka 🙂
8 out of 14 … nice catch! the one with the librarie is probably where everyone gets it wrong haha
I’ll bet it is! Thanks for taking the quiz, Vida 🙂
You got 7 out of 14 right!
Not so badAnd I’m happy with this result. Again, “Uncle” translator, Google has cheated on me
This must be very difficult to do with Mr. Translator! Thanks for trying it 🙂
9 out of 14 🙂 My French is a bit rusty, but you didn’t catch me on the last one. 😉 😀
You did well enough, Zaklina! Thanks for playing 🙂
5 out of 14. At least I got #14 correct.
Well I’m glad to hear that confirmed, Gary 😉
Ha! That was super fun Norman. I learned a ton! 🙂
I never would have guessed #5.
I hoped it would be fun, and I’m happy to hear you confirm it! I’ve fallen into many a trap with these things, over the years 😀