"Fait mal" vs. "Fait DU mal"

Rebecca L.C1Kwiziq community member

"Fait mal" vs. "Fait DU mal"

Paul me fait mal  vs.  Elle me fait du mal quand elle dit ça.   I understand that du is for emotional pain and à is for physical pain, so why does the first example have neither?


Asked 2 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Paul me fait mal …  and Elle me fait du mal‘me’ is the indirect object pronoun, first person singular. The 2 expressions are ‘faire mal à qqn’ and ‘ faire du mal à qqn’. Worth another look at the section on using indirect object pronouns specifically with these phrases in the lesson, and in general.

CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour Rebecca,

To supplent Maarten's correct answer, please find a few examples:

Paul fait mal à Marie = Paul is hurting/hurts Marie -> physical

Paul lui fait mal Paul is hurting/hurts her -> physical

Paul fait du mal à Marie = Paul is hurting/hurts Marie -> emotionally

Paul lui fait du mal = Paul is hurting/hurts her -> emotionally

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

"Fait mal" vs. "Fait DU mal"

Paul me fait mal  vs.  Elle me fait du mal quand elle dit ça.   I understand that du is for emotional pain and à is for physical pain, so why does the first example have neither?


Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...