faux
/fo/
The English phrase 'wrong' is translated into French as faux.
The word faux is used to mean 'wrong' in the sense of an incorrect answer. It is also the standard word for 'false', which can refer to a false statement or a fake object. To state that a specific piece of information or a statement is incorrect, you can say C'est faux. Additionally, the phrase faux pas is used in French to indicate a mistake or an error.
Which one should you use?
While faux can describe an incorrect answer, if you want to express that a person is 'being wrong' (for example, 'I am wrong'), you should use the reflexive verb se tromper instead of the adjective faux.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective faux must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to fausse in the feminine form. When using the masculine plural form, the adjective remains faux because the final 'x' is invariant.
How do you pronounce it?
/fo/
Did you know?
- The word faux is used in music to describe a note that is 'out of tune' or 'flat'. A singer who hits the wrong note is said to sing faux.
- If you call a person 'faux' in French, you are not saying they are incorrect, but rather that they are disingenuous or a fraud.
- A different meaning of faux refers to a scythe or a cutting tool. This word shares the same spelling as the adjective for 'wrong' but comes from the Latin falcem.
Examples in context
- Ce n'est pas faux.That's not wrong.This sentence is useful for saying 'That's not wrong.' using the form faux.Tatoeba #1170570 by sacredceltic, translation #2251170 by CK
- Est-ce tout faux ?Is it all wrong?This sentence is useful for asking 'Is it all wrong?' using the form faux.Tatoeba #4404131 by sacredceltic, translation #4401034 by CK
- Il avait tout faux.He was all wrong.This sentence is useful for saying 'He was all wrong.' using the form faux.Tatoeba #131788 by sacredceltic, translation #294902 by jakov
- Il a donné une réponse incorrecte.He gave an incorrect answer.
- Ce rapport est totalement faux.This report is completely wrong.
- Les chiffres fournis sont erronés.The provided numbers are wrong.
- Tu as fait un gros faux pas en refusant son invitation.You made a big mistake by refusing his invitation.
- 73 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing a result on a test.
- ChloéTon raisonnement est faux, Gabriel.Your reasoning is wrong, Gabriel.
- GabrielAh bon ? Je n'en suis pas sûr.Oh really? I'm not sure about that.
- ChloéC'est faux, regarde bien la réponse.It's wrong, look closely at the answer.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais corriger ça.Okay, I will correct that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry faux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
