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๐ŸฅFrench I Unit 16 Review

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16.2 Conjugation and usage of "faire"

๐ŸฅFrench I
Unit 16 Review

16.2 Conjugation and usage of "faire"

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
๐ŸฅFrench I
Unit & Topic Study Guides

Irregular verbs like "faire" can be tricky, but they're super important in French. "Faire" means "to do" or "to make" and pops up everywhere. You'll use it for everyday stuff like cooking or shopping, and in cool expressions.

Learning "faire" is a big deal for speaking French well. Its conjugations are weird, so you've gotta memorize them. But once you've got it down, you can talk about tons of actions and even use it to say you're making someone else do something.

Conjugating "faire" in the present tense

Irregular conjugation pattern

  • "Faire" is an irregular verb that does not follow the typical conjugation patterns of -re verbs in the present tense
  • The present tense conjugations of "faire" are unique and must be memorized
    • je fais
    • tu fais
    • il/elle/on fait
    • nous faisons
    • vous faites
    • ils/elles font

Importance of memorization

  • "Faire" is a frequently used verb in French, making it essential to memorize its conjugations
  • Mastering the conjugations of "faire" will enable you to express a wide range of actions and ideas in the present tense
  • Recognizing and using the correct conjugations of "faire" is crucial for effective communication in French

Meaning and usage of "faire"

Versatility of "faire"

  • "Faire" is a versatile verb with multiple meanings, primarily translating to "to do" or "to make" in English
  • It can be used to express various actions, such as performing tasks, creating objects, or causing something to happen
  • Understanding the different contexts in which "faire" is used is essential for mastering its usage

Causative construction with "faire"

  • "Faire" is often followed by an infinitive verb to express causing or having someone do something
    • faire faire quelque chose ร  quelqu'un (to have someone do something)
    • Je fais rรฉparer ma voiture (I'm having my car repaired)
  • This causative construction is a common way to express actions performed by others on one's behalf

Actions of doing or making with "faire"

Everyday activities and tasks

  • "Faire" is commonly used to describe everyday activities and tasks
    • faire la vaisselle (to do the dishes)
    • faire le mรฉnage (to do the housework)
    • faire les courses (to go shopping)
    • faire la cuisine (to cook)

Creation or production

  • "Faire" is used to express the creation or production of something
    • faire un gรขteau (to make a cake)
    • faire un projet (to do a project)
    • faire un discours (to give a speech)
    • faire une peinture (to make a painting)
  • "Faire" can be followed by a noun to express performing an action related to that noun
    • faire du sport (to do sports)
    • faire la fรชte (to party)
    • faire un voyage (to take a trip)
    • faire une promenade (to take a walk)

Idiomatic expressions with "faire"

Common idiomatic expressions

  • Many common French idiomatic expressions use the verb "faire" in combination with other words to convey specific meanings
    • faire attention (to pay attention)
    • faire semblant (to pretend)
    • faire la grasse matinรฉe (to sleep in)
    • faire la queue (to stand in line)

Understanding expressions in context

  • Familiarizing oneself with these expressions and their meanings is essential for understanding and using French in context
  • Idiomatic expressions with "faire" often have figurative meanings that differ from their literal translations
    • faire du lรจche-vitrine (literal: to lick the shop windows, figurative: to go window-shopping)
    • faire la sourde oreille (literal: to make a deaf ear, figurative: to turn a deaf ear)

Incorporating expressions in communication

  • Incorporating idiomatic expressions with "faire" into one's French vocabulary will enhance fluency and cultural understanding
  • Using these expressions appropriately demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and cultural awareness
  • Practicing the use of idiomatic expressions in context will help you communicate more naturally in French