CONTENT
Faire is another common verb that can be very tricky. Let's see how it is used and conjugated.
French
English
Je fais un gâteau.
I'm making a cake.
Basic Meanings of Faire
Rule 1: Faire can be translated as "to do" or "to make." Yes, unlike in English, you don't have to use different verbs to indicate one of these two meanings.
French
English
Je fais le lit.
I make the bed.
Je fais la vaisselle.
I do the dishes.
Exception: Faire is not used in constructions such as "to make some sad."
French
English
Tu me rends triste.
You make me sad.
Conjugation
Rule 2: Faire is yet another basic verb that is irregular.
| je | fais |
| tu | fais |
| il, elle, on | fait |
| nous | faisons |
| vous | faites |
| ils, elles | font |
| je | fais |
| tu | fais |
| il, elle, on | fait |
| nous | faisons |
| vous | faites |
| ils, elles | font |
Faire as "To Be"
Rule 3: This verb can also be used as "to be" in two situations: when it comes to weather and math.
French
English
Il fait froid.
It's cold.
Deux fois deux font quatre.
Two times two is four.
Faire with Sports
Rule 4: Faire is also used in constructions similar to the English "to do sport."
French
English
Je fais du vélo.
I bike.
Se Faire in Grammatical Constructions
Rule 5: Faire is used along with the infinitive and the reflexive pronoun "se" in the causative constructions ("to have something done").
French
English
Elle s'est fait coiffer.
She had her hair done.
Faire in Idiomatic Expressions
Rule 6: This verb is found in many idiomatic expressions, for example:
French
English
Ça ne fait rien.
It doesn't matter.
Faire de son mieux.
To do one's best.
Quiz
1/4
Elle _ la vaisselle.
0
correct answers.