Est-elle attirante, attractive ou attrayante ?

The translation of “attractive” is a true minefield!

Many translators know that “attractif” is a false friend of the English “attractive”, as “attractif” is used for things that attract by nature, a magnet for example, but then they often confuse between “attirant”, which means “which exerts an attraction force”, and “attrayant”, which means “which has appeal”.

Some examples of correct use:

• Cette jeune fille est attirante.

• Il trouvait cette carrière politique attrayante.

• La Terre a un effet attractif sur la Lune.