French Phrase
Protège tes tuyaux.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Protect your pipes.’ It is a practical reminder to look after the plumbing in a house or building, preventing leaks and damage. In informal speech it can also be a playful way to say ‘keep your insider tips safe,’ because ‘tuyaux’ is slang for ‘tips’ or ‘hints.’
When to use
Use this phrase when giving advice about home maintenance, especially to a friend or family member who is responsible for a property. It also works humorously when warning someone to keep a secret or a piece of useful information to themselves.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Protègetestuyaux
Imperative (2nd person singular)
‘Protège’ is the affirmative imperative form of the verb ‘protéger’ used with ‘tu’ (informal you).
Possessive adjective ‘tes’
‘tes’ agrees with the plural noun that follows; it means ‘your’ (informal).
Plural noun ‘tuyaux’
‘tuyaux’ is the plural of ‘tuyau’ (pipe). The final ‘x’ is silent, giving the sound /tɥi.o/.
🗨In Conversation
J'ai eu une grosse fuite d'eau hier soir.
I had a big water leak last night.
Protège tes tuyaux, vérifie les joints régulièrement.
Protect your pipes; check the joints regularly.
✕Common Mistakes
Protègent tes tuyaux.
The verb ‘protègent’ is the third‑person plural present, not the imperative. Use ‘Protège’ for ‘you (informal)’.
Protège vos tuyaux.
If you keep the informal ‘tu’ form, the possessive must also be informal – ‘tes.’ Mixing ‘Protège’ with ‘vos’ sounds inconsistent.
Protège tes tu-yaux.
Do not pronounce the final ‘x’; saying /tu.jo/ is a common mispronunciation.
↔Alternatives
Prends soin de tes tuyaux.
Take care of your pipes.
Assure-toi que tes tuyaux sont protégés.
Make sure your pipes are protected.
Veille à la protection de tes conduits.
See to the protection of your conduits.
Cultural Tip
In everyday French ‘tuyaux’ can also mean ‘tips’ or ‘hints’ (e.g., ‘donner des tuyaux’ = to give advice). Because of this double meaning, the sentence can be used humorously to tell a friend not to share a secret tip. When speaking to someone you don’t know well, switch to the formal ‘vous’ – ‘Protégez vos tuyaux.’