French Phrase
Ne surcharge pas les prises électriques.
Meaning
This sentence is a warning that tells someone not to overload the electrical sockets. Overloading can cause overheating, short‑circuits, or even fires, so the phrase is used to promote safety in homes, offices, and public spaces.
When to use
Use this phrase when you see many devices plugged into a single outlet, when giving safety instructions to family members, coworkers, or students, or when posting a reminder on a notice board in a workplace or school.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nesurchargepaslesprisesélectriques.
Negation (Ne…pas)
In French, the negative particle 'ne' precedes the verb and 'pas' follows it. In spoken French, the 'ne' is often dropped, but in formal writing it stays.
Imperative Mood
The verb 'surcharger' is conjugated in the second‑person singular imperative as 'surcharge'. The negative form adds 'ne' before and 'pas' after the verb.
Definite Article + Noun
The object 'les prises électriques' uses the definite article 'les' because we are talking about the specific outlets in the environment.
🗨In Conversation
Ne surcharge pas les prises électriques.
Don't overload the electrical outlets.
D'accord, je vais débrancher le chargeur supplémentaire.
Okay, I'll unplug the extra charger.
✕Common Mistakes
Pas surcharge les prises électriques.
The negative particles must surround the verb: 'Ne surcharge pas', not 'pas surcharge'.
Ne surcharger pas les prises électriques.
In an imperative you drop the infinitive ending; use 'surcharge' not 'surcharger'.
↔Alternatives
Ne branche pas trop d'appareils sur les prises.
Don't plug too many devices into the sockets.
Évite de surcharger les prises électriques.
Avoid overloading the electrical outlets.
Ne mettez pas plusieurs appareils sur la même prise.
Don't put several devices on the same outlet.
Cultural Tip
In France the standard household voltage is 230 V, which makes overloading a real fire hazard. Many French homes have multiprises equipped with a built‑in circuit breaker; using them correctly is part of everyday safety etiquette. When speaking to someone you don’t know well, keep the tone polite by adding 's’il vous plaît' after the command (e.g., 'Ne surchargez pas les prises, s’il vous plaît').