Pronominal causative in French

Definition

Definition in EnglishA construction combining a reflexive object pronoun, a causative auxiliary and an infinitive to present the subject as the recipient or affected participant of another person's action. It covers requested services and unwanted events, without necessarily implying intention or responsibility.

Definition in FrenchCette construction présente le sujet comme la personne qui reçoit ou subit l’action de quelqu’un d’autre, avec se faire suivi d’un infinitif.

Example sentences

• Elle s’est fait couper les cheveux avant l’entretien.🔊

  She had her hair cut before the interview.

• Ils se sont fait voler leurs sacs dans le train.🔊

  They had their bags stolen on the train.

• Je vais me les faire livrer demain.🔊

  I'm going to have them delivered to me tomorrow.

Learn it in a lesson

• French causatives: faire and se faire

pronominal causative in other languages

• What pronominal causative means
• In Portuguese
• In Japanese