fais

Fais is primarily known as a conjugated form of the French verb faire. In standard French, fais is the second-person singular present tense form, as in tu fais, meaning “you do” or “you make.” It is also used in the imperative mood for the same subject, where phrases like “Fais attention” translate to “Be careful” or “Pay attention,” and “Fais ceci” means “Do this.” The form is common in everyday speech and appears in a wide range of idiomatic expressions built on faire.

Morphology and related forms: The verb faire is highly productive in French, generating many idioms and constructions. Other present-tense forms include je fais, il/elle fait, and nous faisons, which are distinct from fais. The form fais should not be confused with fait, which is the third-person singular present of faire (il/elle fait) or, in noun form, the past participle meaning “done.”

Usage and meaning: As a present-tense form of faire, fais primarily conveys actions of making or doing. In many phrases, faire is used more as an auxiliary or a light-to-heavy verb depending on context, and fais frequently appears in commands or informal statements directed at the listener. The word is common in everyday French dialogue and writing.

Etymology: Faire derives from the Latin facere, with faire developing through Old French into Modern French. The specific form fais reflects standard French conjugation for the second-person singular present and imperative.

In other languages: In English-language texts, fais is typically encountered as a foreign word or within quoted French phrases, rather than as an independent English term.