French Phrase
T'as essuyé la machine ?
Meaning
Literally, “Did you wipe the machine?” It is a quick, informal way to ask whether someone has cleaned a piece of equipment, such as a coffee maker, printer, or any device that may need a wipe-down after use.
When to use
Use this sentence in casual conversation with friends, coworkers, or family members when you need to check if a machine has been wiped. It is too informal for formal written French or when speaking to strangers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
T'asessuyélamachine?
Contraction T'as
T'as is the spoken contraction of Tu as. It is informal and used mainly in spoken French.
Past participle agreement
With the verb essuyer, the past participle does NOT agree with the direct object when the object follows the verb, so it stays essuyé, not essuyée.
Definite article la
La is the feminine singular definite article that matches the noun machine (feminine).
🗨In Conversation
T'as essuyé la machine ?
Did you wipe the machine?
Oui, je l'ai essuyée juste après l'avoir utilisée.
Yes, I wiped it right after I used it.
✕Common Mistakes
T'es essuyé la machine ?
T'es is the contraction of Tu es (you are). The correct auxiliary for the passé composé of essuyer is avoir, not être.
T'as essuyée la machine ?
When the direct object follows the verb, the past participle does not agree with the object. It stays essuyé, not essuyée.
Essuyé la machine, t'as ?
The object must stay before the verb in this structure; placing it after changes the meaning and is ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Tu as essuyé la machine ?
Did you wipe the machine?
Vous avez essuyé la machine ?
Did you (plural/formal) wipe the machine?
Tu as nettoyé la machine ?
Did you clean the machine?
T'as passé un chiffon sur la machine ?
Did you run a cloth over the machine?
Cultural Tip
In French, "essuyer" is used for a quick wipe (e.g., with a cloth), while "nettoyer" implies a more thorough cleaning. The contraction T'as signals a relaxed register; in a professional email you would write "Tu as essuyé la machine ?" or even "Avez‑vous essuyé la machine ?" depending on the level of formality.