faire les devoirs
To do homework in French is faire les devoirs.
The phrase is used to describe completing school assignments given by a teacher to be done at home. You can also use Travailler sur ses devoirs to express the idea of working on homework, which is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
Which one should you use?
While faire les devoirs is a general way to express the action, you can also use the specific phrase Effectuer les devoirs in formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
It is very common to replace the definite article les with a possessive adjective such as mes (my), tes (your) or ses (his/her/their) to say faire ses devoirs (to do one's homework).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the singular form faire le devoir. English speakers often mistakenly use the singular instead of the plural les devoirs when referring to school assignments.
Did you know?
- In French, the concept of homework is tied to the verb devoir, which means 'to owe'. This implies that assignments are viewed as a debt of work that a student owes to their teacher.
- The verb faire in faire les devoirs shares its Latin ancestor facere with the English word 'fact', as well as 'factory' and 'manufacture'.
- The word devoir can describe a moral or civic duty, linking the act of doing homework to the broader responsibilities of a citizen.
Examples in context
- Ils se sont entraidés pour faire les devoirs.They helped each other do homework.This sentence shows how people can support one another when using faire les devoirs.Tatoeba #4092955 by sbamsbamsbam, translation #4091848 by andymakespasta
- Je dois faire les devoirs ce soirI have to do my homework tonight.
- Les étudiants doivent réaliser les devoirs assignésThe students must complete the assigned homework.
- Je vais faire mes devoirsI'm going to do my homework.
- J'ai besoin de travailler sur mes devoirs ce soirI need to work on my homework tonight.
- Je dois faire rapidement mes devoirsI have to do my homework quickly.
- J'ai passé la journée à faire mes devoirs et je suis épuisé(e)!I spent the whole day doing my homework, and I'm exhausted!
- Je dois faire les devoirs de maths.I have to do my math homework.
- Est-ce que tu vas faire les devoirs ce soir ?Are you going to do your homework tonight?
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking in the living room.
- EmmaTu veux sortir avec moi, Nathan ?Do you want to go out with me, Nathan?
- NathanJe ne peux pas, je dois faire les devoirs.I can't, I have to do the homework.
- EmmaC'est difficile ?Is it difficult?
- NathanOui, c'est beaucoup de travail.Yes, it is a lot of work.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries faire, les, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
