There is a basic pattern in English.
(This is not all inclusive and completely true, but is a general trend)

Any words considered "upper" and more fancy English are based on French.

Frankly most French words fit here, but to give a few.
Independant = independent
Mysterieuse = mysterious
affaire = affair
objectif = objective
...

Any words considered "lower" and simpler English come from Germanic languages.

kalt = cold
küss = kiss
kann = can
sonne = sun
...and the all time classic

Compare this to Finnish and be surprised.
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