Which one should you use?
Passe le message is an informal way to say 'Pass it on' and Fais tourner is an informal expression that can be translated as 'Spread the word' or 'Pass it around'. For formal contexts, you might use Transmettez-le to say 'Pass it on' or Faites-en part à… to say 'Pass it on to…'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use faites passer instead of fais passer when addressing a group of people or using the formal 'vous' form. For informal settings, you can use Passe le message or Fais tourner. In formal settings, use Transmettez-le or Faites-en part à…
How does it change in a sentence?
To include the direct object 'it' (referring to a masculine object) in the imperative, you use the pronoun 'le' attached with a hyphen: fais-le passer. If the object being passed is feminine, the pronoun changes to 'la': fais-la passer.
Did you know?
- The informal expression fais tourner is frequently used to ask someone to pass a joint in cannabis culture, though it can also refer to a physical object or a piece of news.
- While 'pass it on' is a simple instruction in English, using the slang Fais tourner literally translates to 'Make it spin' or 'Make it rotate'.
- In very formal French, faire part de is used to 'pass on' news of a birth, marriage or death, and is the standard term used on official announcement cards.
Examples in context
- Transmettez-le à votre supérieur, s'il vous plaît.Pass it on to your superior, please.
- Faites-en part à tous les membres de l'équipe.Pass it on to all team members.
- Salut! Peux-tu passer le message à Marie? Je ne pourrai pas assister à la réunion demain.Hey! Can you pass the message to Marie? I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
- Fais tourner l'invitation à notre soirée, stp!Pass the invitation around for our party, please!
- Fais passer le message.Pass the message on.
- Fais passer le message à tes amis.Pass the message on to your friends.
- Fais passer l'information à l'équipe rapidement.Pass the information on to the team quickly.
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are at a coffee shop and Lucas has some news.
- LucasJ'ai une super nouvelle pour tout le monde.I have great news for everyone.
- ManonAlors, fais passer le mot à nos collègues !Then, pass the word on to our colleagues!
- LucasJe vais le faire dès maintenant.I will do it right now.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Lucas.Thank you very much, Lucas.
