French Phrase
On est à court de serviettes.
Meaning
Literally ‘We are short of towels.’ It is used to state that the supply of towels is insufficient and more are needed.
When to use
Use this sentence when you notice a shortage of towels at home, in a hotel, a gym, or any place where towels are expected. It works both in casual conversation and in slightly more formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onestàcourtdeserviettes
On (impersonal pronoun)
‘On’ is an indefinite pronoun that can mean ‘we’, ‘people’, or ‘one’ in everyday French.
être (est)
‘Est’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘être’, used here with the impersonal ‘on’.
à court de
A set phrase meaning ‘to be short of, to run out of’. It is followed by a noun without an article.
serviettes (plural noun)
‘Serviettes’ is the plural of ‘serviette’ (towel). No article is used after ‘à court de’.
🗨In Conversation
On est à court de serviettes, il faut en acheter.
We’re short of towels, we need to buy some.
D'accord, je vais en prendre au magasin.
Okay, I’ll get some at the store.
✕Common Mistakes
On est à court **des** serviettes.
Do not add an article after ‘à court de’; the noun follows directly.
On est **en** court de serviettes.
Avoid using ‘en court de’, which is incorrect.
On est à court de serviette.
Remember to keep the noun plural when you’re talking about multiple towels.
↔Alternatives
Il ne reste plus de serviettes.
There are no towels left.
Nous manquons de serviettes.
We lack towels.
Les serviettes sont en rupture.
Towels are out of stock.
Cultural Tip
In French households and hotels, towels are considered a basic amenity. If you’re staying in a hotel, staff will usually replace them on request, so saying ‘On est à court de serviettes’ politely signals the need without sounding demanding. The expression ‘à court de’ is a bit formal; in everyday speech many people simply say ‘Il n’y a plus de serviettes.’