fais ton travail
The English phrase "do your work" is translated into French as fais ton travail.
This phrase is used as a command telling someone to complete the tasks they are responsible for.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb fais (do), the possessive adjective ton (your) and the noun travail (work).
Which one should you use?
In French, the possessive adjective must agree with the gender and number of the noun travail rather than the person being addressed, though travail is always masculine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you may hear Fais ta job instead of Fais ton travail.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form fais ton travail uses the informal tu and is used when speaking to a child, a friend or someone you know well. Use the form faites votre travail when addressing a group of people or a single person with whom you use the formal vous.
Did you know?
- The word travail shares a grim history with the word 'torture', as it originally referred to a device used for inflicting pain.
- The plural form of travail is travaux, which changes the vowel sound and is frequently used in French to describe construction or public works.
- French employs different imperatives for the same command based on the social hierarchy, making the choice between fais and faites a social judgment rather than just a grammatical one.
Examples in context
- Fais ton travail avec plus d'attention.Do your work with more care.This sentence shows how to use fais ton travail with a prepositional phrase meaning 'with more care'.Tatoeba #13690 by sacredceltic, translation #30383 by Dejo
- Fais ton travail à ta manière.Do your work in your own way.This sentence shows how to use fais ton travail to mean 'in your own way'.Tatoeba #549437 by Scott, translation #17575 by BraveSentry
- Faites votre travail avec rigueur et professionnalisme.Do your work with rigor and professionalism.
- Fais ton travail pour que nous puissions sortir plus tôt.Do your work so that we can leave earlier.
- Fais ton travail avant de sortir jouer.Do your work before going out to play.
Example conversation
Léa is telling Hugo to stop playing video games.
- LéaHugo, arrête de jouer.Hugo, stop playing.
- HugoMais je veux juste finir ce niveau !But I just want to finish this level!
- LéaNon, fais ton travail maintenant.No, do your work now.
- HugoD'accord, j'y vais.Okay, I'm going.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ton, travail, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
