French Phrase
On a besoin de place pour une poussette.
Meaning
The sentence means "We need space for a stroller." It is a practical request often heard when navigating crowded places like public transport, restaurants, or museums with a baby carriage.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are with a stroller and need to ask staff or fellow passengers to make room, such as on a bus, in a café, or while waiting in line.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onabesoindeplacepourunepoussette
On (impersonal pronoun)
In spoken French, "on" often replaces "nous" and means "we" or "people in general".
avoir besoin de + noun
The construction "avoir besoin de" is followed by a noun without an article when speaking of a need in general.
de place (partitive after besoin)
"de" introduces the thing needed; here it means "some space" rather than a specific place.
pour + infinitive/noun
"pour" indicates purpose: "for a stroller".
une poussette (indefinite article)
Use the feminine indefinite article "une" because "poussette" is a feminine noun.
🗨In Conversation
On a besoin de place pour une poussette.
We need space for a stroller.
Pas de problème, je vais déplacer la table.
No problem, I'll move the table.
✕Common Mistakes
On a besoin à place pour une poussette.
After "avoir besoin" the correct preposition is "de", not "à".
On a besoin le place pour une poussette.
Do not use a definite article before "place" in this construction.
On a besoin de place pour une poussette (when the stroller is already known).
If you refer to a specific stroller already mentioned, use "la" instead of "une".
↔Alternatives
Nous avons besoin d'espace pour une poussette.
We need space for a stroller.
Il faut de la place pour la poussette.
We need some room for the stroller.
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, "on" is preferred over "nous" for casual statements, especially in spoken contexts. Remember that after "avoir besoin de" you never use "à"; the correct preposition is always "de". Also, "place" here is used in a generic sense (some space), so the partitive article is omitted.