Question 1

Why are there two forms of the verb fare next to each other?

Accepted Answer

This is the causative construction. You use the conjugated form faccio (I make or cause) followed by an infinitive, which in this case is also fare (to do or make). Together, faccio fare means you are having a task done by someone else.

Question 2

What is the purpose of mi at the beginning of the phrase?

Accepted Answer

The mi shows who is receiving the action. It turns the causative into a reflexive construction, coming from the base form farsi fare. It literally translates to saying you are having something done to yourself or for yourself.

Question 3

Why does the translation say hair styled when the word for hair isn't in the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The phrase la piega literally translates to the fold or the crease. However, at a hair salon, fare la piega is the standard Italian idiomatic expression for styling hair or getting a blow-dry. It is automatically understood that it refers to hair.

Question 4

How would I say this in the past tense, and which auxiliary verb would I use?

Accepted Answer

You would use essere because of the reflexive pronoun mi. Normally the verb fare takes avere, but in a reflexive causative sentence, the auxiliary shifts to essere. You would say mi sono fatto fare la piega, or mi sono fatta if you are female.

Oggi mi faccio fare la piega.

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