##  [Tricky-to-translate terms and expressions](/en/blogue-blog/tricky-to-translate-terms-eng)

Posted on September 23, 2019

Written by [Barbara McClintock (About the author)](/en/blogue-blog/tricky-to-translate-terms-eng#auteur-author), MA, C. Tr.

![](/sites/default/files/tricky_to_translate_terms_376x250.png)

Many French terms that appear quite similar to English and therefore straightforward can actually be tricky to render in English, even for seasoned translators. Here are a few that might be lying in wait for you. Don’t let them trip you up!

## *Acteur*

When “actor” is used to mean “participant,” it doesn’t sound very English. Try “player” or “stakeholder.”

*Le Canada est un acteur mondial dans le secteur de l’énergie*.
Canada is a global energy **player**.

## *Confiance*

We translate both “trust” and “confidence” as *confiance* in French. However, in English there’s a slight difference in meaning between trust and confidence. Trust means you put faith in someone; confidence is having faith in yourself.

*Climat de transparence, de confiance et de respect*
Climate of transparency, **trust** and respect

## *Engager* (1)

Some years ago, “engage” became a popular buzzword meaning to attract and hold someone’s interest.

*Engager les employés et communiquer*
Employee **engagement** and communication

## *Engager* (2)

“Engage” versus “commit”: Among other things, “engage” means to hire, to interact socially or to enter into, while “commit” basically means to pledge oneself to do something.

*Engager un avocat*
**Engage** a lawyer \[especially British English; in Canadian English, “engage” is often used with “the services of”: **engage** the services of a lawyer\]

*Engager une conversation*
**Engage** in conversation

*Engager le combat*
**Engage** in combat

*Le gouvernement s’engage à prendre des mesures concrètes.*
The government **is committed** to taking concrete action.

## *Inviter*

Be careful when translating *inviter* as “invite.” *Inviter* is very commonly used in French, but “invite” is not as common in English unless there’s a real invitation involved.

*Je vous invite à prendre connaissance du rapport.*
I **encourage** you to read the report.

## *Participer* and *personne*

“Participate” in English indicates active participation, so “attend” is a better bet when you don’t know the details of the situation. Perhaps the attendees only listened and didn’t ask questions or interact. Please also note the translation of *personnes* by “people” (more general, as opposed to “persons,” which is more specific) in the following example:

*L’an dernier, 195 personnes ont participé aux ateliers et aux formations.*
Last year, 195 people **attended** workshops and training.

## *Présenter*

Be careful as well about translating *présenter* as “present.” Like *inviter*, *présenter* is very commonly used in French, but that is not the case with “present” in English unless there is a real physical presentation of something in front of someone.

*Je vous présente mon frère Robert.*
I would like to **introduce** my brother Robert.

*Est-ce que vous voulez vous présenter l’année prochaine?*
Are you going to **run** next year?

*Veuillez vous présenter à la succursale.*
Please **visit** the branch.

*Elle présente des inconvénients.*
It **has** disadvantages.

*Nous présenterons les résultats au Conseil d’administration jeudi.*
We will **present** the results to the Board of Directors on Thursday. \[The presentation will be in person.\]

## *Produire*

“Produce an advertising leaflet or text” may be appropriate in a production environment, but if it doesn’t sound very English to you, try substituting “prepare” or a synonym.

*Produire un dépliant ou un texte publicitaire*
**Prepare** (or write) an advertising leaflet or text

## *Réaliser* or *organiser une exposition*

To update your text, why not use the verb “curate”? According to TERMIUM Plus®, this term is derived from “curator” and thus applies well to exhibitions. Please note that “organize” is also correct in English in the following example, whereas “realize” would not sound very English.

*Organiser une exposition*
Organize or **curate** an exhibition

## *Territoire*

“Territory” is not a common word in English, so try to avoid using it. Remember that you don’t need to translate *territoire* if it doesn’t add any additional meaning.

*Avis d’évacuation immédiate sur un secteur du territoire municipal*
Immediate evacuation notice for a sector of the municipality

I’m sure you’ve come across many more *faux amis*, by which I mean French terms and expressions that look like English words but that are tricky to translate. I’d love to hear about them!

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## Get to know Barbara McClintock

![Barbara McClintock](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/user_barbara-mcclintock.png?itok=cOc-gjKa)

### Barbara McClintock

Barbara McClintock (“the Word Geek”) is a certified translator and certified terminologist with over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. Barbara is a contributor to OTTIAQ’s Circuit magazine; Editors’ Weekly, published by Editors Canada; the Language Portal’s Our Languages blog; and ACJT’s Juriscribe. Her work includes “[How to Introduce the Inclusive ‘They’ to Your Clients](https://acjt.ca/en/bulletins-en/how-to-introduce-the-inclusive-they-to-your-clients/),” “[The Singular ‘They’ – Conjugations and Some Particularities](https://blog.editors.ca/?tag=gender-identity)” and “[Sex, Gender and Pronouns: Using the Correct Pronouns for Inclusiveness](https://blog.editors.ca/?p=7333).”

## More posts by Barbara McClintock

- [Moving? Changes to Quebec co-ownership rules](/en/blogue-blog/vous-demenagez-moving-quebec-eng)
- [Adapted books for persons with a disability: Copyright law terminology](/en/blogue-blog/livres-adaptes-adapted-books-eng)
- [Condo dreaming in Quebec](/en/blogue-blog/condo-reve-dreaming-eng)
- [Condo terminology for those who dream of buying a condo](/en/blogue-blog/terminologie-copropriete-condo-terminology-eng)
- [A brief guide to inclusive writing resources](/en/blogue-blog/guide-to-inclusive-writing-resources-eng)

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## Comments

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Read comments     Submitted by Mary Frances Bell on September 24, 2019, at 11:38

Useful tips, Barbara! Thank you!

- [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69474/comment/5472)

Submitted by FABIENNE FAVAREL on September 23, 2021, at 3:25

Thank you so much for this article! Very interesting and so useful! Hope to read more soon ! Thanks!

- [Reply](/en/comment/reply/node/69474/comment/5684)

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