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French grammar - The Reflexive Causative - se faire

The Reflexive Causative - se faire

We previous saw the causative with faire meaning 'to get something done' or 'to have something done'.

Recall that the 'RECEIVER' (for or to whom the action is performed) is the object of the sentence.

When the 'RECEIVER' is the subject of the sentence we can use the reflexive causative se faire.

When used reflexively the causative se faire can indicate that the subject has done something to or for himself/herself.

The reflexive causative can also be used (semi-passively) to indicate that something happens to the subject (as per someone else's implied action or wish).

Note that in the causative the past participle fait never needs to agree - it is invariant.

Examples:
Je me fais coiffer.
I'm having my hair done.
Je me suis fait coiffer.
I had my hair done.
Il se fait apporter le café chaque matin.
He has coffee brought to him every morning.
Il s'est fait apporter un café ce matin.
He had coffee brought to him this morning.
Est-ce que tu veux te faire expliquer ce problème ?
Do you (familiar) want this problem explained to you?
T'es-tu fait expliquer le problème ?
Did you (familiar) have someone explain the problem to you?
Nous nous faisons réveiller tôt chaque matin.
We get woken up early every morning.
Nous nous sommes fait réveiller ce matin.
We got woken up this morning.
Il se fait raser la barbe.
He is having his beard shaved.
Il s'est fait raser la barbe.
He had his beard shaved.
Il ne s'est pas fait raser la barbe.
He didn't have his beard shaved.
Elle s'est fait expulser de la boîte.
She got kicked out of the club.

Something happens to the subject without requesting it

boîte (f) means 'box'

But boîte here is short for la boîte de nuit (night club).

Il s'est fait avoir.
He got had. *OR* He was conned.

Something happens to the subject without requesting it

Pourquoi s'est-il fait virer ?
Why did he get fired?

Something happens to the subject without requesting it

Le chien s'est fait renverser.
The dog got run over.

Something happens to the subject without requesting it

renverser (verb) means 'to be knocked down' or 'to be run over'

Nous nous sommes fait voler nos bagages.
We had our luggage stolen.

Something happens to the subject without requesting it

voler (verb) means 'to steal'