What does it mean word for word?
The phrase faites un don literally translates to "make a donation" rather than using a single verb for "donate".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the situation. To be very formal and courteous, you can use Veuillez faire un don, s'il vous plaît. or Nous vous prions de bien vouloir faire un don. The standard polite form is faites un don s'il vous plaît. If you are speaking to a single person you know well or a younger person, you should use the informal fais un don s'il te plaît or the question Peux-tu faire un don, s'il te plaît?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase faites un don s'il vous plaît, the verb faites is the second-person plural imperative form of faire. This is used when addressing a group of people or when you want to be polite to a single individual.
Did you know?
- While don refers to a donation, the word don also means a natural 'gift' or 'talent' in French, as in avoir le don.
- The French word for a gift or donation, don, is also used in the medical context for blood or organ donation, as in don du sang.
- In France, the act of donating is often linked to the Restos du Cœur, a famous charity that uses requests like faites un don to fight hunger.
Examples in context
- Nous vous prions de bien vouloir faire un don pour soutenir notre projet humanitaire.We kindly ask you to make a donation to support our humanitarian project.
- Peux-tu faire un don, s'il te plaît? On essaie de récolter des fonds pour aider les enfants défavorisés.Can you make a donation, please? We're trying to raise funds to help underprivileged children.
- Faites un don s'il vous plaît pour l'association.Please donate to the association.
- Faites un don s'il vous plaît pour aider les enfants.Please donate to help the children.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are volunteering at a charity event.
- ChloéLucas, aide les gens à comprendre notre projet.Lucas, help people understand our project.
- LucasD'accord, je vais dire : faites un don s'il vous plaît.Okay, I will say: please donate.
- ChloéC'est parfait, sois très poli avec eux.That's perfect, be very polite with them.
- LucasNe t'inquiète pas, je suis très poli, Chloé.Don't worry, I am very polite, Chloé.
