Expressions with Faire in French
In one of our previous articles we learnt about the idiomatic phrases with the verb “Avoir-to have”. Click here to read the article Phrases with Avoir in French.
Now we are going to see how faire is used in a similar way in some French phrases. The verb “faire” is an important verb in the French language as it is incredibly versatile. However, for beginners, it can be a source of confusion. Not only is “faire” an irregular verb, but it is used in so many different ways and it can mean different things based on the context. It finds its way into various French expressions and idioms.To proceed with this article, it is essential to grasp the conjugation of the French verb ‘faire’ which translates to ‘to make/to do’.
In the present tense, ‘faire’ conjugates as follows:
| Singular Pronouns | Plural Pronouns |
| Je fais – I make | Nous faisons – We have |
| Tu fais – You make (Informal) | Vous faites – You have (formal & Plural) |
| Il/Elle fait – He/She makes | Ils/Elles font – They have (masc & fém) |
Familiarizing yourself with the conjugation of ‘faire’ is fundamental, as numerous common French idiomatic expressions incorporate this verb. Acquiring knowledge of these expressions will not only enhance your understanding of the language but also contribute to sounding more like a native speaker.
Idiomatic expressions, by nature, present meanings that may not be immediately apparent from the individual words or grammatical structure. Attempting to translate them literally can lead to misunderstanding. For example, the verb “aller” (to go) in French, when combined with an adverb, is used to describe a person’s well-being, as seen in the expression:
Je vais bien – I’m fine. I am doing well.
Throughout your French learning journey, you’ve likely encountered numerous expressions formed by combining the verb ‘faire’. One common example you may already be familiar with is the use of ‘faire’ when talking about weather, like in phrases such as-
- Quel temps fait-il? – Literally translated to, How is the weather doing?
- Il fait beau – The weather is nice.
- Il fait froid – It’s cold.
Here is a list of different expressions about weather using the verb “faire”.
| Quel temps fait-il ?Quel temps fait-il aujourd’hui? | How is the weather? How is the weather today? |
| Il fait beau | It’s nice |
| Il fait chaud | It’s hot |
| Il fait mauvais | It’s bad weather |
| Il fait froid | It cold |
| Il fait du soleil | Its sunny |
| Il fait du vent | Its windy |
| Il fait du brouillard | It’s foggy |
| il fait nuageux | It’s cloudy |
| il fait orageux | It’s stormy |
| il fait humide | It’s humid |
| Il fait frais | It’s cool/fresh. |
| Il fait jour/nuit | It’s day/night |
Examples:
- En printemps, il fait frais – In spring it is cool/fresh.
- Aujourd’hui, on ne peut pas jouer au foot, il fait mauvais – Today we cannot play football, the weather is bad.
- Je mets un manteau, il fait froid – I will wear an overcoat, it is cold.
- Quand il fait chaud, j’aime boire une limonade. – When it is hot, I like to drink lemonade.
- Ne sors pas aujourd’hui! Il fait orageux – Don’t go out today, it’s stormy.
- Quand il fait du brouillard, il est difficile à conduire la voiture – When it’s foggy, it’s difficult to drive the car.
Faire to Express Doing an Activity
The verb ‘faire’ is frequently used in phrases to express doing an activity. It can be a sportive activity or something that you do around the house etc. Look at the list of phrases below to understand how it is used.
| Phrase In French | English Meaning |
| faire de+article (name of the sport) | to do a sporting activity |
| faire du vélo | to go bike riding |
| faire de l’aérobic | to do aerobics/exercises |
| faire du ski | to ski |
| faire de la voile | to go sailing |
| faire de la natation | to do swimming |
| faire de la gymnastique | to do exercises |
| faire du cyclisme | cycling |
| Faire le/la/les/un/une/de+article | Doing an activity |
| faire la vaisselle | to wash the vessels |
| faire la cuisine | to do cooking |
| faire le ménage | to do housework |
| faire la fête | to party |
| faire la queue | to make a queue |
| faire la lessive | to do the laundry |
| faire le repassage | to iron |
| faire un voyage | to take a trip |
| faire une promenade | to take à walk |
| faire une randonnée | to go hiking |
| faire une pique-nique | to make a pic-nicque |
| faire des photos | to take photos |
| faire de la danse | to danse |
| faire des achats/shopping | to go shopping |
| faire ses adieux | say goodbye |
Examples:
- Elle fait le ménage seulement pendant le weekend – She only does housework during the weekend.
- Nous faisons une promenade dans le parc tous les soirs. – We take a walk in the park every evening.
- Vous faites un voyage en France? – You are traveling to France.
- Fais la queue pour payer – Make a queue to pay.
The Grand Spectacle of Cyclisme
The Tour de France, often hailed as the world’s most prestigious and challenging cycling race, is an annual spectacle that captivates enthusiasts and casual observers alike. Established in 1903, this iconic event has become synonymous with endurance, strategy, and the sheer determination of athletes to push themselves to the limits. As cyclists pedal through picturesque landscapes and challenging terrains, the Tour de France transcends sports, becoming a cultural phenomenon that unites people around the globe.
History
The inception of the Tour de France can be traced back to the vision of Henri Desgrange, the editor of the sports newspaper L’Auto. Seeking to boost circulation, Desgrange conceived a grueling multi-stage bicycle race that would cover the diverse and challenging topography of France. The first edition of the Tour de France took place on July 1, 1903, with 60 cyclists embarking on a 2,428-kilometer journey divided into six stages.
Format and Stages
The Tour de France is a multi-stage race typically held over three weeks in July. The route changes yearly, with stages covering flat plains, mountainous regions, and time trials. The race consists of 21 stages, including individual time trials, team time trials, and challenging mountain stages that push cyclists to ascend some of the most iconic mountain passes in the world.
The Yellow Jersey – Symbol of Excellence
The coveted Yellow Jersey, or Maillot Jaune, is awarded to the overall leader of the race based on cumulative time. Cyclists strive to wear the Yellow Jersey as a symbol of their excellence and dominance in the general classification. The wearer of the Yellow Jersey is determined by the lowest cumulative time, taking into account time bonuses awarded for stage wins and intermediate sprints.
Mountains and Challenges
One of the defining features of the Tour de France is the grueling mountain stages, where cyclists navigate through the Alps and the Pyrenees. Iconic climbs like the Col du Tourmalet and Mont Ventoux have become legendary battlegrounds, where cyclists showcase their climbing prowess and tenacity. These mountain stages often prove decisive in determining the overall winner of the race.
Cultural Phenomenon
The Tour de France is not just a sporting event; it’s a cultural phenomenon that transcends national borders. Millions of spectators line the route, creating a vibrant atmosphere as the peloton races through picturesque French landscapes and historic towns. The race has inspired countless fans to take up cycling and has become a symbol of human endurance and resilience.
