Homophones

In French, there are many nouns that have the same sound but different genders and meanings. Here’s a list of some examples:

  1. Le tour (the tour) / La tour (the tower)
  2. Les cours [masc. plural] (the lesson, class, course) / La cour (the court, courtyard)
  3. Le mousse (the foam) / La mousse (the moss)
  4. Le poste (the position or job) / La poste (the post office)
  5. Le manche (the handle) / La manche (the sleeve)
  6. Le pêche (fishing) / La pêche (peach)
  7. Le conte (the story) / La comte (the countess)
  8. Le masque (the mask) / La masque (the blush)
  9. Le mode (the mode or fashion) / La mode (the fashion)
  10. Le vase (the vase) / La vase (the mud)
  11. Le livre (the book) / La livre (the pound)
  12. Le foie (the liver) / La foi (faith)
  13. Le mur (the wall) / La mûre (the blackberry)
  14. Le sel (the salt) / La selle (the saddle)
  15. Le maire (the mayor) / La mer (the sea)
  16. Le poil (the hair) / La poêle (the pan)
  17. Le bas (the lower part) / La bât (the pack-saddle)

These nouns are homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings and genders.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • voici & voilà

    Even if you don’t know any French, you may already be familiar with the French words “voici” and “voilà.” “Voici” means “here is,” “here are,” “this is,” or “these are.” “Voilà” has a slightly different meaning, translating to “there is,” “there are,” “that is,” or “those are.” “Voici” comes from the Middle French “voicy,” which…

  • belief

    The English word “belief” can refer to religious faith, personal conviction, an opinion, or the acceptance that something is true. The correct French translation depends heavily on the specific context and the strength of the conviction being described. There is no single one-to-one equivalent. CroyanceThis is the most direct translation for “belief,” particularly when it…

  • à huis clos

    “à huis clos” is a French saying that means in private, with all doors closed, in secret. It is an expression dating from the middle of the 16th century, meaning “with doors closed.” “Huis” is an old 11th century word for door, now replaced by the word “porte.” The original word for door was “us,”…

  • pour des prunes

    “Pour des prunes” is a French expression that literally means “for plums.” Its closest English equivalent is “for nothing.” The saying dates from the start of the 16th century. However, the association of plums with a complete lack of value dates back to the end of the Second Crusade, which finished around 1150 AD and was…

  • prévenir vs prévoir

    Two French verbs that often cause confusion among learners are “prévoir” and “prévenir.” Despite their similar spellings, these verbs carry distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. “Prévoir” is a verb that translates to “to foresee” or “to predict” in English. It is used when someone anticipates or plans for something in the future….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *