faire exploser
To detonate in French is faire exploser.
The phrase is used when an external agent causes an explosion. For example, you can use faire sauter une voiture to say to blow up a car.
Meaning: to cause to explode (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
This is a causative construction where faire (to make/do) is followed by the infinitive exploser (to explode), literally meaning to make explode.
Which one should you use?
Use exploser when something explodes on its own, but use faire exploser when an external agent causes the explosion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb faire exploser is a transitive causative construction and does not change its form based on the object being detonated.
Did you know?
- The phrase faire sauter is used for detonating objects but also for 'skipping' a class or a meal. In these contexts, it means to omit something or jump over a scheduled event.
- In a very informal context, faire sauter can be used as a slang term meaning to fire someone from their job or to remove someone from a position of power.
- The verb faire in this phrase comes from the Latin facere, which is the distant ancestor of the English word 'fact'.
Examples in context
- La bombe a été faite exploser lors d'un exercice militaire.The bomb was detonated during a military exercise.
- Les ingénieurs ont déclenché une explosion contrôlée pour tester la résistance du matériau.The engineers detonated a controlled explosion to test the material's resistance.
- Les adolescents ont fait péter des pétards pour célébrer la victoire de leur équipe préférée.The teenagers detonated firecrackers to celebrate their favorite team's victory.
- Le personnage principal du film a fait sauter la porte pour s'échapper.The main character in the movie detonated the door to escape.
- Il a fait exploser la bombe.He detonated the bomb.
Example conversation
Two engineers are discussing a controlled demolition.
- ManonEst-ce qu'on peut faire exploser le bâtiment ?Can we detonate the building?
- GabrielOui, Manon, tout est prêt maintenant.Yes, Manon, everything is ready now.
- ManonÀ quelle heure allons-nous faire exploser ça ?What time are we going to detonate it?
- GabrielNous allons le faire à midi pile.We will do it at exactly noon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
