Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| facio | [ˈfa.ki.oː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfaː.t͡ʃi.o] (narrow) |
| ago | [ˈa.ɡoː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈaː.ɡo] (narrow) |
| produco | [proːˈduː.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [proˈduː.ko] (narrow) |
The verb facere is the most common and general term for 'make' in Latin.
Which one should you use?
While facio is the most general verb for 'to make' or 'to do' a task or action, other words are used for specific contexts. Use ago when 'making' implies driving, leading or conducting a specific process or movement. Use produco when 'making' specifically means producing or bringing something forth from a source. Additionally, if you wish to emphasize the act of creation or bringing forth something new, the formal word creare is used and for the specific act of constructing or manufacturing, use the formal verb fabricare.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form facio is the first-person singular present indicative active form of the verb facere, meaning 'I make' or 'I do'.
Did you know?
- Many English words ending in '-fy', such as 'clarify' or 'intensify', actually come from the Latin verb facio and its derivatives.
- The passive form of facio is not a direct derivation of its own stem, but instead uses the verb fīō, meaning 'to become'.
- The Latin word fabricare is the direct ancestor of the English word 'fabricate', though 'fabricate' now often implies making something up or lying.
Examples in context
- Nimis multa menda facio.I make too many mistakes.This example shows how to use facio to express making mistakes.Tatoeba #8504387 by alexmarcelo, translation #252977 by CK
- Magnam pecuniam facio.I make a lot of money.This example shows how to use facio in the context of making money.Tatoeba #8902121 by alexmarcelo, translation #2380454 by CK
- Facio domumI make a house
- Fac ultimum sacrificiumMake the final sacrifice
- Deus creat mundumGod creates the world
- Pictor creat pulchram picturamThe painter makes a beautiful painting
- Fac ea quae scripsiDo what I wrote
- Fingit fabulas suavissimasHe invents the most charming stories
- Puellae figuram pueri finguntThe girls make up the image of the boy
- Creavit caelum et terramHe created heaven and earth
- Cenam bonam facio.I am making a good dinner.
Example conversation
Gaius and Lucia are discussing a craft project.
- GaiusQuid nunc facio?What am I making now?
- LuciaMensam parvam facis, Gai.You are making a small table, Gaius.
- GaiusHoc opus non facile facio.I am not making this work easily.
- LuciaEgo tibi auxilium do.I will give you help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “make” translations and entries facio, ago, produco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
