se faire + Infinitive

Something Happening to You with Se Faire + Infinitive

Level 4

The se faire + infinitive structure is a conversational way to express the passive voice. It describes an action performed on the subject, either because they arranged it (like a haircut) or because of an accident (like getting robbed).

How It Works

This pattern, often called the causatif réfléchi, has two main uses:

  • Deliberate Actions: When you have someone do something for you.
    Je me fais couper les cheveux. (I'm getting my hair cut.)
  • Accidental Events: When something happens to you, often negatively.
    Il s'est fait mordre. (He got bitten.)

Key Rules:
1. Auxiliary: In compound tenses like the passé composé, always use être.
2. Invariability: The past participle fait NEVER changes its ending when followed by an infinitive. It remains 'fait' regardless of the subject's gender or number.
3. The Agent: You can mention who did the action using par (e.g., par le chien), though it is often omitted.
4. Word Order: Objects follow the infinitive (se faire voler son sac). If using object pronouns, they go before 'faire' (Elle se le fait voler).

Examples (5)

  1. Elle s'est fait voler son sac dans le métro.

    She got her bag stolen in the subway.

    Word by Word: She herself is made to steal her bag in the subway.

    This shows an accidental/unfortunate event. Notice that 'fait' does not agree with 'Elle'.

  2. Je vais me faire couper les cheveux demain.

    I am going to get my hair cut tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I go myself to make to cut the hairs tomorrow.

    This is a deliberate arrangement for a service. The subject is the beneficiary of the action.

  3. Ils se sont fait gronder par le professeur.

    They got scolded by the teacher.

    Word by Word: They themselves are made to scold by the teacher.

    Here, the 'agent' (the person doing the scolding) is introduced with 'par'.

  4. Tu devrais te faire examiner par un médecin.

    You should get yourself examined by a doctor.

    Word by Word: You should yourself make to examine by a doctor.

    Using 'se faire' with a recommendation for a professional service.

  5. Nous nous sommes fait livrer une pizza.

    We had a pizza delivered.

    Word by Word: We ourselves are made to deliver a pizza.

    A common way to express having a service performed for you.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding gender or number agreement to 'fait'.

    Elle s'est faite opérer hier.
    Elle s'est fait opérer hier.

    In the 'se faire + infinitive' structure, the past participle 'fait' is always invariable. It never takes an 'e' or 's'.

  • Using a past participle instead of an infinitive after 'faire'.

    Je me suis fait arrêté.
    Je me suis fait arrêter.

    English speakers often want to use the past participle (stopped/arrêté), but French requires the infinitive (arrêter) after 'faire'.

  • Incorrect object placement.

    Je me fais les cheveux couper.
    Je me fais couper les cheveux.

    The noun object must come after the infinitive, not between 'faire' and the infinitive.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

se faire + InfinitiveLevel 4Something Happening to You with Se Faire + Infinitive

Learn This First

To learn the passive-causative 'se faire + infinitive', you must first understand the basic causative construction (faire + infinitive) and how reflexive pronouns and verbs work in French, as this pattern combines those two grammatical concepts.

Words in This Pattern