French Phrase
Débranche les appareils.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to unplug the devices or appliances. It’s used when you want the listener to disconnect electrical equipment for safety, energy‑saving, or to stop them from being used.
When to use
Use this phrase at home, in the office, or any setting where electrical devices need to be turned off and physically unplugged. It’s common when preparing to leave a room, during a power outage, or when cleaning.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Débranchelesappareils.
Imperative (tu) of -er verbs
For regular -er verbs, the tu‑imperative drops the final -s (débrancher → débranche). The -s is kept only before the pronouns y or en.
Definite article agreement
The direct object ‘les appareils’ stays unchanged; the article agrees in number with the noun (plural).
Politeness level
Use ‘Débranche les appareils’ with friends or family (informal). In formal situations, switch to the vous‑imperative: ‘Débranchez les appareils.’
🗨In Conversation
Débranche les appareils, s'il te plaît.
Unplug the devices, please.
D'accord, je les débranche tout de suite.
Okay, I’ll unplug them right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Débrancher les appareils.
This is the infinitive, not a command. Use the imperative form ‘Débranche…’ for a direct request.
Débranches les appareils.
The -s should be dropped in the tu‑imperative unless followed by ‘y’ or ‘en’.
Débranchez les appareils.
Correct for formal ‘vous’, but sounds too stiff in informal settings.
Débranche les appareil.
The noun must agree in number with the article; ‘appareil’ is singular, but the article ‘les’ is plural.
↔Alternatives
Éteins les appareils.
Turn off the devices.
Coupe le courant des appareils.
Cut the power to the devices.
Déconnecte les appareils.
Disconnect the devices.
Cultural Tip
In French households, unplugging appliances is often recommended to avoid “vampire” electricity consumption. When speaking to strangers or superiors, use the formal imperative ‘Débranchez les appareils.’ In casual conversation among peers, the informal ‘Débranche les appareils’ is perfectly natural.