If the type of hurt is not specified, is there a 'default' translation?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Terri R.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
If the type of hurt is not specified, is there a 'default' translation?
This question relates to:French lesson "Faire mal à vs Faire du mal à = to hurt someone (French Expressions with faire)"
Asked 7 years ago
Ron T. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir,
Il va faire mal à ma meilleure amie.
He's going to hurt my best friend. (physically)
Il va faire du mal à ma meilleure amie.
He's going to hurt my best friend. (emotionally)
This is an excellent question because given the two examples above, sans the state in parentheses it would be very difficult to differentiate a translation; however, also in the lesson it states that «faire du mal à» is specific to emotional or psychological pain, hurt while «faire mal à» is specific to a physical hurt, i.e. cut, bruised, kicked, etc.
Votre question m'a plu certainement parce qu'il m'a fallu penser. Merci beaucoup ! Bon travail!
J'espère que ma réponse vous aidera.
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