How English Borrowed Words from French
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English is a rich language, and part of that richness comes from centuries of borrowing. One of the largest sources of borrowed words in English is French, thanks to historical events like the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Why Did English Borrow from French?
After the Normans invaded England, French became the language of the court, government, and law. Over time, thousands of French words entered English, especially in areas like cuisine, fashion, and law.
Examples of Borrowed Words
- Ballet – from French, originally from Italian ‘balletto’
- Restaurant – meaning ‘a place to restore’
- Menu – from French ‘menu’, meaning ‘detailed list’
- Justice, government, court, and more
Impact on Modern English
Today, French continues to influence English, and many borrowed words retain their original pronunciation or spelling quirks. This is why English is often seen as a hybrid language.
Want to Explore More?
Check out our post on Affect vs. Effect for another dive into tricky English vocabulary!
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