French Notes

Cognates — Definition

Cognates are words in French and English that look similar and often have similar meanings.

  • True cognates: similar spelling + similar meaning
  • Partial cognates: similar spelling + partly different meaning
  • False cognates: similar spelling + unrelated meaning

Examples

  • géologie → geology
  • décembre → December

Adjectives — Agreement and Cognate Patterns

French adjectives change depending on gender and number.

  • Feminine singular usually adds -e
  • Masculine plural usually adds -s
  • Feminine plural usually adds -es

-eux / -euse → -ous

  • anxieux → anxious
  • généreux → generous