débordé
/de.bɔʁ.de/
The English phrase "snowed under" is translated into French as débordé.
In French, you use the verb être (to be) with this adjective to express the state of being overwhelmed with work.
Meaning: having a lot of things to do (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
If the person described is female, you must add an extra 'e' to the end of the adjective: débordée. To describe a group of men or a mixed-gender group, add an 's' to the end of the adjective: débordés. To describe a group of only women, add 'es' to the end of the adjective: débordées.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /de.bɔʁ.de/.
Did you know?
- In very informal spoken French, people often replace débordé with the phrase être charrette, a term originating from architects who worked frantically on 'carts' before deadlines.
- While débordé is common, French speakers also use the idiom avoir du pain sur la planche to say they have a lot of work, which translates to 'having bread on the board'.
- If you want to say you are 'swamped' or 'buried' by work using a more intense imagery, you might use sous l'eau, which literally means 'under the water'.
Examples in context
- Je suis vraiment débordé(e) de travail en ce moment avec tous ces dossiers à traiter.I am really snowed under with work at the moment with all these files to process.
- Notre équipe est submergée de tâches en raison de cette livraison urgente à préparer.Our team is snowed under with tasks due to this urgent delivery to prepare.
- Je suis complètement débordé(e) de boulot en ce moment, j'ai vraiment besoin d'une pause.I am completely snowed under with work at the moment, I really need a break.
- Depuis mon retour de vacances, je suis complètement sous l'eau avec toutes ces demandes à traiter.Since I came back from vacation, I am completely snowed under with all these requests to handle.
- Je suis complètement débordé cette semaine.I am completely snowed under this week.
- Il est très débordé par son nouveau travail.He is very snowed under with his new job.
- Elle semble débordée par ses examens.She seems snowed under by her exams.
Example conversation
Lucas calls Manon to ask if she wants to go to the cinema.
- LucasSalut Manon, tu es libre ce soir ?Hi Manon, are you free this evening?
- ManonNon, je suis trop débordée en ce moment.No, I am too snowed under right now.
- LucasC'est à cause de tes cours ?Is it because of your classes?
- ManonOui, Lucas, j'ai trop de travail.Yes, Lucas, I have too much work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snowed under” translations and entries débordé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
