To do, or to make do - just don't worry about it!
- Jan 30
- 1 min read
The French verb 'faire' is one of the most commonly used verbs in French and we generally start by learning that it has two meanings: to do and to make. For example, je fais mon devoir - I do my duty and je fais mon lit - I make my bed.
But faire is also used frequently when talking about the weather: il fait du soleil, il fait froid, il fait un froid de canard.
However, faire can also be used when you are getting someone else to do something: so, to say that you get the car serviced once a year, you'd say, 'je fais reviser la voiture une fois par an' or to say you've had your hair cut, 'je me suis fait couper les cheveux'.
And if you use the verb 's'en faire', instead of just 'faire', you get a completely different meaning. 'S'en faire' can be translated as 'to stress' or 'to worry' about something. Mostly, though, this verb is used in the negative and 'ne t'en fais pas' and 'ne vous en faites pas' both mean 'don't worry'. They are synonymous with 'ne t’inquiète pas' or 'ne vous inquiétez pas' and you're likely to hear both expressions used interchangeably.
The other two expressions with 'faire' that look similar but have completely different meanings are 'fais/faites gaffe' (watch out) and 'j'ai fait une gaffe' (I've messed up). Both are commonly used in spoken, casual French.
Donc, faites gaffe when you're listening to or reading French and you'll spot these expressions. However, there are lots of other expressions with 'faire'. Can you think of any? Add them in the comment box below...
Really enjoyed this post—staying motivated with language learning is honestly one of the hardest parts, and your tips make it feel much more manageable and realistic. I especially liked the idea of setting small, achievable goals and making learning part of a daily routine instead of treating it like a chore. It reminded me of how I approach my studies when I need Help with Human Resource Assignment tasks—breaking things into smaller steps and keeping things engaging makes a huge difference. The point about immersing yourself in the language through music, films, or conversations really stood out too, because it turns learning into something enjoyable rather than stressful. I think a lot of learners give up simply because they lose…
I was reading this post about “to do or to make do just don’t worry about it” and it actually made me smile because sometimes the English language just feels like one big puzzle, lol. Like one minute you’re trying to figure out grammar and expressions and the next minute you remember you’ve got assignments or research and deadlines that you totally forgot about, haha. It’s weird how life just piles all these things on you at once, you know? Maybe it’s just me but when I’m overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start with writing or research it feels like way too much, and having even a tiny bit of help makes things feel a bit easier. I…