Today’s lesson covers the faux ami (false cognate) la lecture, meaning the activity of reading. The related verb is faire de la lecture (to read). The Modern French word lecture comes from legere (to read) in Latin.
la lecture
reading
Pronunciation [la lɛktyʀ]

Example sentences
Quick note: The verb lire also means “to read”. Lire describes the physical action of reading a word, sentence or number, etc. For example, je lis le mot (I read the word).
For this first sentence, the preposition pendant has two meanings in French: For and during. Using pour (for) in this sentence would be wrong.
Je fais de la lecture pendant une heure tous les jours avant de me coucher.
I read every day for one hour before going to bed.
For this second sentence, the adverb trop translates literally to “too” or “too much”. I could have also used the adverbs si and tellement, both meaning “so” in this sentence.
Les jeunes aujourd’hui sont trop accros aux portables et font de la lecture de moins en moins.
Young people today are so addicted to their cell phones and read less and less.
For this final sentence, the English “to give a lecture” (as in a university class) is donner une conférence. Also note that the other usage of “lecture” in English (expressing disapproval or criticism) is une leçon, une morale and un sermon in French.
Le prof a donné une conférence sur l’histoire de l’Asie.
The professor gave a lecture about the history of Asia.
More false cognates
- La phrase – sentence
- Draguer – to hit on
- La monnaie – change (coins), currency
- Actuellement – currently
- La librairie – bookstore
- Sensible – sensitive
- Blessé – injured
- Préservatif – condom
- L’occasion – opportunity
- La location – rental
- Décevoir – to dissapoint
- Le collège – middle school, junior high school
- Formidable – terrific, great