Liste alphabétique - I

Ici vs Icy

Ici means here.
Icy means glacial, glacé, or verglacé.

Idéologie vs Ideology

Idéologie can refer to an ideology, but is usually used in a pejorative sense: ideology or philosophy based on sophomoric or illogical arguments.
Ideology = une idéologie.

Ignorant vs Ignorant

Ignorant is a semi-false cognate. It it usually means unaware of, although it can mean ignorant in the English sense of the word. It can also be a noun - ignoramus.
Ignorant has only one French equivalent - ignorant, but you should know that in English it is usually somewhat pejorative: lacking education or knowledge. The French word ignorant doesn't distinguish between unaware and uneducated.

Ignorer vs Ignore

Ignorer is a semi-false cognate. It nearly means to be ignorant or unaware of something: j'ignore tout de cette affaire - I know nothing about this business.
Ignore means to deliberately not pay attention to someone or something. The usual translations are ne tenir aucun compte de, ne pas relever, and ne pas prêter attention à.

Impair vs Impair

Impair is an adjective: odd or uneven.
Impair is a verb: diminuer or affaiblir.

Imposition vs Imposition

Imposition refers to taxation (les impôts - taxes). In religion, l'imposition des mains = the laying on of hands.
Imposition has two distinct meanings. The imposition of something, such as a regulation, is la mise en place. In the sense of a burden, imposition can't be translated by a noun. The sentence needs to be rewritten using a verb like abuser or déranger to get the sense of imposition across.

Inconvénient vs Inconvenient

Inconvénient is a noun and is also somewhat stronger than the English word inconvenient; un inconvénient is a disadvantage, drawback, or risk. Les inconvénients - consequences.
Inconvenient is an adjective: inopportun, importun, gênant, peu pratique, malcommode.

Inconsistant vs Inconsistent

Inconsistant indicates poor consistency: flimsy, weak, colorless, runny, or watery. In a more general sense, it can be translated by inconsistent.
Inconsistent means lacking consistency or being erratic: inconséquent, incompatible.

Index vs Index

Index can refer to the index finger, a pointer, or an alphabetical index.
Index = index when it is an alphabetical index or table. When it is used in statistics, the French equivalent is une indice.

Infect vs Infect

Infect is an adjective: revolting, obnoxious, squalid, vile, horrible.
Infect is a verb: infecter, contaminer.

Information vs Information

Information is a semi-false cognate. Une information refers to a single piece of information, while des informations is equivalent to the general English term information. In addition, une information can indicate an official inquiry or investigation.
Information means des renseignements or informations.

Informatiser vs Inform

Informatiser = to computerize.
Inform can mean informer, avertir, aviser, or renseigner.

Ingrat vs Ingrate

Ingrat can be an adjective - ungrateful, bleak, unreliable, or unattractive - or a noun: ingrate, ungrateful person.
Ingrate = un ingrat.

Injure vs Injury

Injure is an insult or term of abuse.
Injury refers to une blessure.

Inscription vs Inscription

Inscription is a true cognate in the sense of text inscriptions. However, it is also a general term for action as well as registration or enrollment.
Inscription = une inscription on a coin or monument, or une dédicace in a book.  

Insolation vs Insulation

Insolation means sunstroke or sunshine.
Insulation = isolation.

Instance vs Instance

Instance means authority, official proceedings, or insistence.
Instance refers to something that is representative of a group, an example - un exemple.

Intégral vs Integral

Intégral means complete, unabridged, or total.
Integral means intégrant or constituant.

Intéressant vs Interesting

Intéressant is a semi-false cognate. In addition to interesting, it can mean attractive, worthwhile, or favorable (e.g., a price or offer).
Interesting means captivating, worth looking at, etc.

Intoxiqué vs Intoxicated

Intoxiqué means poisoned, while intoxicated means drunk - ivre.

Introduire vs Introduce

Introduire means to place, insert, or introduce into. It is not used in the sense of introducing one person to another.
Introduce means présenter.

Isolation vs Isolation

Isolation refers to insulation.
Isolation equals isolement or quarantaine.