French Phrase
Je mets les ordures où ?
Meaning
Literally “I put the trash where?” – a short, informal way to ask where you should dispose of the garbage. It can be used in a house, office, or any shared space where the proper bin isn’t obvious.
When to use
Use this sentence when you have a bag of rubbish in your hands and need to know the correct place to drop it – for example, in a coworker’s kitchen, a classroom, or a public park.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jemetslesorduresoù?
Subject pronoun
Je = I, the first‑person singular subject pronoun.
Mettre (present)
Mets is the 1st‑person singular present of mettre (to put, to place).
Definite article
Les is the plural definite article, used here with the noun ordures.
Ordure
Ordure = garbage, trash; a masculine plural noun.
Où?
Où is the interrogative adverb meaning “where?” and triggers inversion or a rising intonation.
🗨In Conversation
Je mets les ordures où ?
Where should I put the trash?
Tu les mets dans la poubelle du couloir.
Put them in the hallway trash can.
✕Common Mistakes
Je met les ordures où ?
The verb needs the -s ending for the 1st‑person singular present of mettre.
Je mets les ordures ou ?
Without the accent, ou means “or”. The question word is où with a grave accent.
Je mets les déchets où ?
In everyday speech many French speakers say “les déchets” or “les poubelles” instead of “les ordures”.
↔Alternatives
Où dois‑je mettre les ordures ?
Where should I put the trash?
Où est la poubelle ?
Where is the trash can?
Je peux mettre les ordures ici ?
Can I put the trash here?
Cultural Tip
In France most municipalities separate waste into several streams – ordures ménagères (general waste), recyclables, compost, and sometimes glass. When you ask “Je mets les ordures où ?” you’ll often be directed to the appropriate bin, not just a single trash can. Using the correct bin is considered good etiquette and helps the recycling system work efficiently.