essuie-tout
/e.sɥi.tu/masculine
The English phrase "paper towel" is translated into French as essuie-tout. Wiktionary also lists papier ménage.
Meaning: paper used in kitchens (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| essuie-tout | /e.sɥi.tu/ | masculine |
| papier ménage | Switzerland, masculine |
The term refers to paper used in kitchens.
Which one should you use?
While essuie-tout is the standard term, you may encounter Le sopalin in casual settings or Le papier essuie-tout in more formal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the masculine term papier ménage is commonly used instead of essuie-tout.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word essuie-tout is invariable in number, so it does not change its form when you are referring to multiple paper towels.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.sɥi.tu/
Did you know?
- The word essuie-tout literally translates to 'wipe-everything'. This reflects a linguistic pattern in French where compound nouns describe the function of the object.
- The term essuie-tout comes from the verb essuyer, which in French is used for both drying a liquid and erasing a mark.
- The word papier in French entered the language via Old Catalan before becoming established in Old French.
Examples in context
- Pouvez-vous me donner/indiquer où je peux trouver des essuie-tout?Can you give me/tell me where I can find some paper towels?
- Tu as un essuie-tout ?Do you have a paper towel?
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous apporter du papier essuie-tout, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you bring some paper towels, please?
- J'ai renversé du jus, vite, un essuie-tout!I spilled some juice, quickly, a paper towel!
- Il y a une fuite d'eau, quelqu'un peut apporter un essuie-tout tout de suite ?There's a water leak, can someone bring a paper towel right away?
- Il me faut un essuie-tout.I need a paper towel.
- Peux-tu acheter un rouleau d'essuie-tout ?Can you buy a roll of paper towels?
- L'essuie-tout est sur la table de la cuisine.The paper towel is on the kitchen table.
Example conversation
In the kitchen, Lucas spilled some water.
- LéaLucas, tu as renversé de l'eau !Lucas, you spilled some water!
- LucasOù est l'essuie-tout, s'il te plaît ?Where is the paper towel, please?
- LéaIl est juste à côté de l'évier.It is right next to the sink.
- LucasMerci, je vais l'utiliser tout de suite.Thanks, I will use it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “paper towel” translations and entries essuie-tout, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ménage, papier, CC BY-SA 4.0.
