comment faire
In French, "how to" is translated as comment faire.
comment faire is a phrase used to introduce a set of instructions or a method for completing a task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of comment (how) and faire (to do/to make).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the expression Comment qu'on fait is occasionally used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the infinitive form of the verb faire to express the concept of "how to" without specifying a subject.
Did you know?
- If a French speaker says comment faire ! as an exclamation, it is not a question but a cry of desperation meaning 'what on earth should I do'.
- The verb faire is one of the most flexible words in French and is used to describe the weather, such as il fait beau for 'it is beautiful weather'.
- The verb faire is a distant cousin to the English word 'factory', as both share a root meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
Examples in context
- Dis-moi comment faire ça.Tell me how to do that.This sentence is useful for asking someone to explain a specific action using comment faire.Tatoeba #7067836 by Aiji, translation #6688110 by CK
- Montre-lui comment faire !Show him how to do this.This sentence is useful for asking someone to demonstrate an action using comment faire.Tatoeba #1836676 by sacredceltic, translation #1836076 by Spamster
- Montre-moi comment faire !Show me how to do this.Tatoeba #1836681 by sacredceltic, translation #1836075 by Spamster
- Comment utiliser un ordinateur ?How to use a computer?
- De quelle manière puis-je réserver un hôtel ?How can I book a hotel?
- Comment on fait pour se connecter au Wi-Fi ici ?How do we connect to the Wi-Fi here?
- Comment tu fais pour parler couramment le français ?How do you manage to speak French fluently?
- Comment je peux me rendre à l'aéroport ?How can I get to the airport?
- Comment qu'on fait pour faire pousser des tomates ?How do we grow tomatoes?
- 155 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are in the kitchen during a cooking class.
- LucasChloé, sais-tu comment faire ce gâteau ?Chloé, do you know how to make this cake?
- ChloéNon, je ne sais pas comment faire.No, I don't know how to do it.
- LucasLe chef va nous montrer comment faire.The chef is going to show us how to do it.
- ChloéC'est super, j'ai hâte de voir comment faire !That's great, I can't wait to see how to do it!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comment, faire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
