French Phrase
Squatte pas les machines.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Don’t crowd the machines.’ In everyday French it’s a short, informal way of telling someone not to block or hog equipment, especially in places like gyms, laundromats, or coworking spaces.
When to use
Use this phrase when you see someone standing too close to, or occupying, a piece of equipment that others need to use. It’s common in gyms, laundries, kitchens, or any shared workspace where machines are in high demand.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Squattepaslesmachines.
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Squatte’ is the imperative form of the verb ‘squatter’ used for giving a direct command to ‘tu’.
Colloquial Negation (pas only)
In spoken French the ‘ne’ is often dropped, so ‘pas’ alone marks the negative.
Definite Article + Plural Noun
‘les machines’ refers to a specific set of machines that both speakers know (e.g., gym equipment, washing machines).
Verb ‘squatter’ (colloquial)
Beyond its literal meaning ‘to occupy illegally’, ‘squatter’ is used informally to mean ‘to crowd around’ or ‘to hog’.
🗨In Conversation
Je veux faire du cardio, mais il y a déjà trois personnes autour du tapis.
I want to do cardio, but there are already three people around the treadmill.
Squatte pas les machines, attends ton tour.
Don’t crowd the machines, wait your turn.
✕Common Mistakes
Ne squatte pas les machines.
Adding ‘ne’ makes the sentence grammatically correct but sounds overly formal for the casual context where the phrase is used.
Squatte les machines.
Missing ‘pas’ turns the command into a positive imperative – ‘crowd the machines!’ – which is the opposite of what you intend.
Squatte pas la machine.
Using the singular ‘la machine’ changes the meaning; the phrase is meant for multiple pieces of equipment.
↔Alternatives
Ne bloque pas les machines.
Don’t block the machines.
Laisse les machines libres.
Leave the machines free.
Attends ton tour avant d’utiliser les machines.
Wait your turn before using the machines.
Cultural Tip
In French gyms and public laundries, etiquette is taken seriously. Saying ‘Squatte pas les machines’ is informal but perfectly understood; it’s the French equivalent of ‘Don’t hog the equipment.’ Avoid using the formal ‘Ne squattez pas les machines’ unless you’re speaking to a group or want to sound more polite. Also, note that ‘squatter’ can have a stronger, even illegal connotation (e.g., squatting in a vacant house), so keep it in the context of crowding.