Fais gaffe

Fais gaffe!
Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

Informal French Expression

MeaningBe careful! Watch out!
LiterallyMake mistake!
Registerinformal
PronunciationFrench sound files [feh gahf]
IPA  [fɛ gaf]

Usage notes: The informal French expression fais gaffe is very minimal, as the negation is only implied.* Une gaffe is a blunder or mistake, so literally fais gaffe means "make [a] mistake" – indeed, if you use the expression faire une gaffe in anything other than the imperative, it means "to make a mistake."

Par exemple…

Il a vraiment fait gaffe hier. He really messed up yesterday.
J’espère ne pas faire gaffe. I hope I don’t mess up.

But fais gaffe means just the opposite: it implores you to be careful, to not make a mistake.

Par exemple…

Il y a beaucoup de vent, fais gaffe ! It’s very windy, be careful!
L’échelle a l’air branlante – fais gaffe ! The ladder looks rickety – be careful!
Fais gaffe en traversant la rue. Pay attention while crossing the street.

  You can use faites gaffe when talking to more than one person in an informal situation.

Variations

  • Fais gaffe à toi – Watch yourself
  • Faites gaffe à vous – Watch yourselves

Synonyms

  • Attention – Pay attention, Be careful
  • Fais / Faites attention – Pay attention
  • Méfie-toi / Méfiez-vous – Look out, Be careful
  • Mets-toi sur tes gardes / Mettez-vous sur vos gardes – Put yourself on guard
  • Sois sur tes gardes / Soyez sur vos gardes – Be on your guard
  • Reste sur tes gardes / Restez sur vos gardes – Stay on your guard
  • Tiens-toi sur tes gardes / Tenez-vous sur vos gardes – Stay on your guard

 * There are two other expressions with "missing" negation: t’inquiète and t’occupe.

 Related lessons

 Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

Fais gaffe !

  Lawless French Files:  

Stay up to date with Lawless French

Questions about French?

 Ask me in the comments section below or visit the Progress with Lawless French Q+A forum to get help from native French speakers and fellow learners.
 

More Lawless French

 Subscribe to my twice-weekly newsletter.
      

Support Lawless French

  This free website is created with love and a great deal of work.

If you love it, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation.

Your support is entirely optional but tremendously appreciated.