French Phrase
Utilise une serviette pour t'essuyer.
Meaning
A direct instruction telling someone to take a towel and wipe/dry themselves, typically after a shower or when they are wet.
When to use
Used in informal or neutral conversation when giving practical advice, especially in a bathroom or after swimming.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Utiliseuneserviettepourt'essuyer
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Utilise’ is the imperative form of ‘utiliser’ used for giving a direct command to ‘tu’.
Reflexive infinitive
‘t'essuyer’ combines the reflexive pronoun ‘t’ (te) with the infinitive ‘essuyer’, meaning ‘to wipe oneself’.
Purpose clause with ‘pour’
‘pour’ + infinitive expresses the purpose of the action: ‘to …’.
🗨In Conversation
Je suis tout mouillé après la douche.
I'm all wet after the shower.
Utilise une serviette pour t'essuyer.
Use a towel to dry yourself.
✕Common Mistakes
Utilise une serviette pour te essuyer.
The reflexive pronoun must be contracted before a vowel‑starting infinitive.
Utilisez une serviette pour t'essuyer.
‘Utilisez’ is the formal/plural imperative; use ‘Utilise’ when speaking to one person informally.
Utilise une serviette pour essuyer.
Missing the reflexive pronoun changes the meaning to ‘wipe something’ instead of ‘wipe yourself’.
↔Alternatives
Prends une serviette pour te sécher.
Take a towel to dry yourself.
Serre une serviette et sèche‑toi.
Grab a towel and dry yourself.
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries, the verb ‘se sécher’ is more common than ‘s’essuyer’ for drying the body. ‘t’essuyer’ sounds a bit informal and is often used in casual speech, especially among friends or family.