Advanced uses of faire

At B1, you'll build on the core A2 uses of faire with new constructions and expressions.

Here, you'll learn how to use faire + infinitive and se faire + infinitive, along with several common expressions that expand what you can say with faire.

The earlier uses are covered in How to use faire and Expressions and common errors with faire. For all tenses, see the conjugation of faire.

Having something done: faire + infinitive

Use a conjugated form of faire followed by an infinitive when someone arranges for another person to perform an action.

The person performing the action is often left unspecified in this pattern.

Something happens to you: se faire + infinitive

Use a conjugated form of se faire followed by an infinitive to describe something that happens to the subject, whether it is wanted or not.

English often uses get or have for this pattern, while French uses se faire + infinitive.

The construction overlaps with faire + infinitive, but the point of view changes:

In the first sentence, she arranges the action. In the second, the sentence presents the haircut as something that happens to her.

Common B1 expressions

At B1, you'll also encounter expressions where faire is part of a larger pattern. Learn each expression as a complete unit:

Each expression has its own meaning. Translating faire word by word won't tell you what the whole expression means.

Conversational phrases

You'll also hear faire in common conversational phrases that express reactions, feelings, and responses:

These phrases give you useful ways to respond naturally in everyday conversations.

Before you go

At B1, faire becomes part of constructions and expressions that go beyond its core meanings of "do" and "make." Recognizing these larger patterns will help you understand and use faire in a wider range of situations.

Next, see what happens when the meaning becomes figurative in Idiomatic expressions with faire.