Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of expressing actions without needing to name the doer.
- Navigate passive constructions using 'on' and reflexive structures.
- Describe services performed for you using 'se faire' and 'se voir'.
- Formulate formal rules and general statements with impersonal expressions.
Speak French naturally: focus on the action, not the actor.
배울 내용
Ready to unlock a new level of French fluency? You know how in English we often use passive constructions like it was done or
the decision was made? French has its own elegant and super common ways to express these ideas – and they're often more natural and less formal than a direct passive translation! In this chapter, we're diving deep into expressing actions where the
doer isn't the star, or when you want to talk about something that generally happens. You'll discover why some common English passive sentences don't directly translate into French, and how to avoid those pitfalls. We'll introduce you to the versatile magic of on – an incredibly useful pronoun that effortlessly replaces many passive structures. Then, you'll learn how to express things that happen to you or are done for youusing constructions like
se faire + infinitive and se voir + infinitive. Finally, you'll master how to make general statements and rules, like it is said or it is forbidden, with the elegant se + verb (pronominal passive) and il est + participle forms.
Imagine effortlessly saying my car got fixedwithout specifying who fixed it, or
these cookies are made with chocolatewhen describing a recipe. Picture yourself reading a museum sign that says
it is forbidden to touch the artand instantly understanding the impersonal rule. These skills will make your French sound significantly more authentic and native. This chapter isn't just about grammar; it's about giving you the tools to express yourself more naturally and confidently. By the end, you'll be able to describe things that
are done or happen with ease, making your conversations smoother and your comprehension sharper. Don't worry, it's easier and more rewarding than you think! Let's go!
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간접 목적어(COI)와 함께 사용할 수 없는 수동태: 'à' 동사 규칙프랑스어에서는 '말을 듣다'를 수동태로 쓰지 않아요! 대신
On이나 능동태를 사용해서 "On m'a dit"처럼 표현하는 게 정답이에요. -
마법의 'On': 수동태의 쉬운 대안복잡한 수동태 문법에 얽매이지 말고
on+ 능동 동사 조합을 사용해 보세요. 훨씬 원어민스럽고 세련된 표현이 가능해집니다.on하나면 충분해요! -
무언가를 당하다/받다 (se faire + 부정사)남이 나에게 해주는 일이나 내가 겪는 일을 말할 땐
se faire와 «동사원형»을 조합하세요. 이때fait는 절대 변하지 않는invariable상태라는 점이 핵심이에요! -
대명동사 수동태: ~하게 되다 (se voir + 부정사)격식 있는 수동태 대신
se voir와 «동사원형»을 사용해서 내가 겪는 일을 더 자연스럽게 표현해 보세요. -
수동적 의미의 대명동사: '~해지다'라고 말하기누가 하는지보다 '무엇이 어떻게 된다'는 사실이 중요할 때 «se + 동사» 조합으로 자연스럽게 말해보세요.
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말하여지다: 프랑스어 비인칭 수동태 (La forme passive impersonnelle)구체적인 주어를 밝히지 않고 일반적인 사실이나 규칙을 말할 때
Il est와 과거분사 조합을 사용해 보세요.Il est dit,Il est écrit,Il est interdit같은 표현들이 대표적인 도구랍니다.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Use the pronoun 'on' to replace passive constructions in daily conversation.
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2
By the end you will be able to: Explain that a service was performed for you using 'se faire'.
챕터 가이드
Overview
Welcome to your next step in mastering French grammar B2! This chapter is designed to elevate your expression beyond direct translations, helping you achieve a truly natural and authentic sound. As you advance in French language learning, you'll notice that native speakers often use elegant, indirect ways to express actions where the
doer isn't specified, or when describing general truths.This is where impersonal forms French and specialized passive constructions come into play, offering sophisticated alternatives to the English passive voice.
Moving beyond basic sentence structures, we'll explore how French naturally handles situations like
it was done or things are said. You'll discover why a literal translation of the English passive often sounds clunky or even incorrect in French, especially with certain verbs. By understanding these nuances, you'll avoid common pitfalls and unlock a more fluid communication style. This isn't just about learning rules; it's about gaining the tools to express yourself confidently and sound more like a native speaker.Get ready to transform your advanced French grammar skills!
How This Grammar Works
This chapter introduces six key constructions that help you express actions and impersonal statements in sophisticated ways. First, a crucial distinction: No Passive Voice with 'à' Verbs (Passif impossible avec COI). Unlike English, verbs followed by à (like obéir à - to obey, or téléphoner à - to call) cannot be directly put into the passive voice.
You wouldn't say *Il a été obéi* (He was obeyed); instead, you'd use an active construction or an impersonal form, such as On lui a obéi (He was obeyed / One obeyed him).
Next, meet The Magic 'On': The Easy Alternative to the Passive. The pronoun on is incredibly versatile, often translating as
one, we, they, or simply an impersonal people. It frequently replaces the passive voice. For instance, instead of *La porte a été ouverte* (The door was opened), you'd more naturally hear On a ouvert la porte (The door was opened / One opened the door).To express
getting things done to you,French uses se faire + infinitif. This construction implies that someone else performs the action for you, or that you experience something passively. For example, Je me suis fait couper les cheveux (I had my hair cut).
Similar in concept but often more formal, se voir + infinitif (The Pronominal Passive: Being 'Seen' Doing) describes experiencing an action or being subjected to something, like Il s'est vu refuser l'entrée (He was refused entry / He saw himself refused entry).
For general statements or rules, French often employs the Verbes pronominaux à sens passif (French Passive Reflexive: Saying 'It is done'). Here, a reflexive verb takes on a passive meaning. Think of Ça se dit (It is said / That is said) or Ces livres se vendent bien (These books sell well / These books are sold well).
Finally, for formal or general impersonal statements, we use La forme passive impersonnelle (It is said: French Impersonal Passive), typically with il est + participle/adjective, such as Il est interdit de fumer (It is forbidden to smoke) or Il a été décidé de partir (It was decided to leave). These forms are essential for sounding truly fluent.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: *Le professeur a été obéi par les élèves.*
✓ Correct: Les élèves ont obéi au professeur. OR On a obéi au professeur.
*Explanation:* Verbs that take an indirect object (COI) introduced by à in the active voice generally cannot form a passive construction in French. Instead, rephrase actively or use an impersonal on.
- 1✗ Wrong: *La décision a été prise par eux.*
✓ Correct: Ils ont pris la décision. OR On a pris la décision.
*Explanation:* While technically grammatically correct, the direct passive with par is far less common in spoken French than in English. On or an active construction is almost always preferred for a more natural sound.
- 1✗ Wrong: *Il s'est fait refuser l'entrée.*
✓ Correct: Il s'est vu refuser l'entrée.
*Explanation:* While se faire + infinitif is common, se voir + infinitif is specifically used for experiencing an action that is imposed or happens to you, especially when it's something negative or beyond your control, making it more appropriate here.
Real Conversations
A
A
J'ai besoin de faire réparer ma voiture. (I need to have my car repaired.)
B
B
Ah, on ne la répare pas ici. Il est recommandé d'aller au garage en bas de la rue. (Ah, they don't repair it here. It is recommended to go to the garage down the street.)
A
A
Ces gâteaux se vendent très bien, n'est-ce pas? (These cakes sell very well, don't they?)
B
B
Oui, ils se mangent sans faim! Par contre, il est interdit de les toucher avant de payer. (Yes, they are eaten even when not hungry! However, it is forbidden to touch them before paying.)
Quick FAQ
Q
How does on differ from nous in B2 French grammar?
On is more informal and versatile, often meaning we, one, or people in general, and can replace the passive. Nous strictly means we and is more formal or specific.
Q
Can all reflexive verbs be used in the pronominal passive sense?
No, only certain reflexive verbs naturally take on a passive meaning, typically when describing a process or a general truth, like se vendre (to be sold) or se dire (to be said).
Q
When should I use se faire + infinitif versus se voir + infinitif?
Se faire + infinitif implies having something done *by someone else* (e.g., se faire couper les cheveux - to have one's hair cut). Se voir + infinitif implies *experiencing* an action or being subjected to something, often an official decision or an unwelcome event (e.g., se voir refuser - to be refused).
Cultural Context
Native French speakers frequently employ these impersonal and indirect constructions, making your understanding of them crucial for truly authentic communication. The
magic onis ubiquitous in everyday conversation, often replacing both
we and the passive voice, contributing to a more fluid and less formal tone. The pronominal passive and impersonal forms are particularly common in public notices, official announcements, and general statements, providing an elegant way to convey information without specifying an agent.Mastering these patterns will make your French sound significantly more natural and less like a direct translation from English.
주요 예문 (4)
1
2
3
Je me vois offrir un nouveau smartphone.
나는 생일 선물로 새 스마트폰을 받게 되었어요.
대명동사 수동태: ~하게 되다 (se voir + 부정사)
4
팁과 요령 (4)
⚠️
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 목적어(COI)와 함께 사용할 수 없는 수동태: 'à' 동사 규칙
영어식 번역의 함정
I was told를 직역해서 "J'ai été dit"라고 하면 안 돼요. 프랑스어에서 'dire'는 간접 동사라 어색하거든요. 꼭 "On m'a dit"라고 하세요.
💡
'Someone'의 법칙
영어 문장을 'Someone...'이나 'People...'로 시작하고 싶을 때, 프랑스어에서는 거의 항상
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 마법의 'On': 수동태의 쉬운 대안
on을 사용하면 자연스러워요. "On m'a appelé ce matin."
⚠️
성수 일치의 함정
이 구조에서 'fait' 뒤에 동사원형이 오면 절대 'faite'나 'faits'로 쓰지 마세요. 원어민들도 자주 틀리지만 문법적으로는 "Elle s'est fait arrêter."가 맞습니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 무언가를 당하다/받다 (se faire + 부정사)
💡
'보여진다'는 느낌으로 기억하기
직역하면 '나 자신이 ~하는 것을 본다'는 뜻이에요. 이렇게 생각하면 뒤에 왜 동사원형이 오는지 이해하기 쉬워요:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대명동사 수동태: ~하게 되다 (se voir + 부정사)
Je me vois offrir un cadeau.
핵심 어휘 (5)
on
we/one/someone
se faire
to have something done
interdit
forbidden
se voir
to have something happen to one
pronominal
pronominal
Real-World Preview
car
At the Mechanic
Review Summary
- S + V + à + O
- On + V (3rd pers sing)
- S + se faire + inf
- S + se voir + inf
- S + se + V
- Il est + participe passé
자주 하는 실수
You cannot passivize 'parler à'. Avoid direct English translations.
Wrong:
Le livre est parlé par lui.
정답:
Il parle du livre.
Missing the reflexive pronoun changes the meaning.
Wrong:
J'ai fait couper mes cheveux.
정답:
Je me suis fait couper les cheveux.
Do not mix impersonal structures; pick one.
Wrong:
Il est dit-on.
정답:
On dit.
이 챕터의 규칙 (6)
Next Steps
You've successfully unlocked a huge piece of native-level French! Keep practicing these structures in your daily writing and you'll soon use them without even thinking.
Listen to a French news broadcast and count how many times 'on' is used.
빠른 연습 (10)
빈칸에 알맞은 형태를 채워 넣으세요.
Le vin rouge ___ frais. (se boire)
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: se boit
주어인 'le vin'이 단수이므로 동사도 3인칭 단수 형태인 'se boit'를 써야 합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 수동적 의미의 대명동사: '~해지다'라고 말하기
빈칸을 채우세요
Elle s'est ___ voler son téléphone.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fait
'se faire + 동사원형' 구조에서 'fait'는 항상 불변입니다. 성수 일치가 필요 없어요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 무언가를 당하다/받다 (se faire + 부정사)
'vendre'(팔다) 동사의 알맞은 형태를 빈칸에 채워보세요.
Ici, on ___ des journaux.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vend
'on' 뒤에는 3인칭 단수형이 와야 해요. 'vendre'의 3인칭 단수형은 'vend'입니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 마법의 'On': 수동태의 쉬운 대안
다음 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.
Nous nous voyons invité à la fête.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous nous voyons inviter à la fête.
이 구조에서는 과거분사(invité)가 아니라 반드시 동사원형(inviter)을 사용해야 합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대명동사 수동태: ~하게 되다 (se voir + 부정사)
알맞은 재귀대명사를 채워 넣으세요.
Elle ___ voit refuser l'accès au site web.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: se
주어가 'Elle'이므로 그에 맞는 재귀대명사 'se'가 필요합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 대명동사 수동태: ~하게 되다 (se voir + 부정사)
빈칸에 들어갈 가장 자연스러운 표현을 고르세요.
___ a souri dans la rue.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: On m'
'sourire à'는 간접 동사라 '누군가 나에게 미소 지었다'라고 할 때 능동형인 'On m'a souri'를 씁니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 목적어(COI)와 함께 사용할 수 없는 수동태: 'à' 동사 규칙
'나는 진실을 들었다'라는 뜻이 되도록 단어를 배열하세요.
다음 단어들을 나열하세요:
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: On m'a dit la vérité
프랑스어에서 'dire à' 동사로 '듣다'를 표현할 때는 수동태 대신 'On m'a dit' 구조를 사용합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 간접 목적어(COI)와 함께 사용할 수 없는 수동태: 'à' 동사 규칙
틀린 부분을 찾아 바르게 고쳐보세요.
Find and fix the mistake:
Les pommes mange avec la peau.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les pommes se mangent avec la peau.
수동의 의미를 나타내려면 'se'가 필요하고, 주어 'les pommes'가 복수이므로 동사 어미는 '-ent'가 되어야 해요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 수동적 의미의 대명동사: '~해지다'라고 말하기
소셜 미디어에 떠도는 소문을 완성하세요.
Il ___ dit que le concert est annulé.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: est
비인칭 수동태를 만들 때는 'être' 동사(est)를 사용합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 말하여지다: 프랑스어 비인칭 수동태 (La forme passive impersonnelle)
틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요
Find and fix the mistake:
Il fait arrêter par la police.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il se fait arrêter par la police.
주어가 행동을 당하는 것임을 나타내려면 재귀 대명사 'se'가 반드시 필요합니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 무언가를 당하다/받다 (se faire + 부정사)
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (6)
동사 원형이 'téléphoner à'이기 때문이에요. 프랑스어에서는 직접 목적어만 수동태의 주어가 될 수 있는데, 'à'가 그 길을 막고 있다고 생각하면 쉬워요. "On m'a téléphoné"라고 해보세요.
"On m'a dit«를 사용하세요. 누가 말했는지 굳이 밝히지 않으면서 정보를 전달할 때 쓰는 표준적인 방식이에요. »On m'a dit que c'était gratuit."
둘 다 가능해요! '일반적인 사람들'을 뜻할 때는 표준적이고 격식 있는 문장에서도 쓰이지만, '우리(nous)'를 대신할 때는 아주 캐주얼한 느낌을 줍니다.
On y va ?처럼요.교과서는 보통 보수적인 문법을 가르치기 때문이에요. 하지만 실제 프랑스인들의 대화에서는 90% 이상이
on을 사용하니, 현지인처럼 들리고 싶다면 꼭 마스터해야 해요.일반 수동태(예: 'Je suis coupé par le coiffeur')는 너무 딱딱하고 어색하게 들려요. 일상 대화에서는
Se faire를 쓰는 게 훨씬 자연스럽답니다.네, 'se faire + 동사원형' 구조라면 주어가 누구든 상관없어요. 예를 들어 여러 명의 여성이 도둑을 맞아도
Elles se sont fait voler라고 씁니다.
