If you ever rent an Airbnb or even in a hotel, sometimes, you can run into plumbing/water issues and need to speak to someone who does not speak English.
This article features a handy collection of French plumbing vocabulary organized by room (like the kitchen, bathroom, and basement) to help you talk to a plumber in France. I’ve also included everyday words for things like sinks, pipes, and drains, with the right French articles (like “le,” “la,” etc.) so you can use them naturally.
It’s especially useful if you’re renting a house or on vacation and need to explain common plumbing issues, like a leak or a blocked drain. Whether it’s fixing something in the bathroom or dealing with a broken water heater, this guide has you covered!
Common French Phrases to Talk About Plumbing Issues
Il y a une fuite d’eau dans la salle de bain / la cuisine.
There’s a water leak in the bathroom/kitchen.
Le robinet ne marche pas bien
The faucet isn’t working well
Le robinet ne marche plus.
The faucet is not working anymore.
La chasse d’eau des toilettes ne marche plus.
The toilet flush isn’t working anymore.
L’eau ne s’évacue pas dans l’évier / la douche.
L’eau s’écoule très lentement dans l’évier / la douche.
The water isn’t draining in the sink/shower.
L’eau a une drôle de couleur.
La couleur de l’eau est bizarre.
The water has a weird color.
L’eau est froide : je n’ai plus d’eau chaude.
The water’s cold: I don’t have hot water anymore.
Ça fuit sous l’évier.
It’s leaking under the sink.
Le radiateur fuit / ne chauffe pas.
The radiator’s leaking / not heating.
Les tuyaux font un drôle de bruit.
The pipes are making a weird noise.
Le chauffe-eau ne marche plus.
The water heater isn’t working anymore.
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Scheduling and Paying a French Plumber
Now that you know how to describe and talk about simple plumbing problems, you have to find a plumber (that’s probably the hardest part) and then schedule a visit. Let’s see some phrases that you can use when you get the plumber on the phone or when s.he is on-site.
Vous pouvez venir aujourd’hui ?
Can you come today?
Quand est-ce que vous pouvez venir ?
When can you come?
C’est une urgence.
It’s an emergency.
Ça va coûter combien ?
How much is this going to cost?
Ça va prendre combien de temps ?
How long is it going to take?
Vous avez besoin de pièces en plus ?
Do you need extra parts?
Il y a une garantie sur la réparation ?
Is there a warranty on the repair?
Vous pensez pouvoir réparer ça quand ?
When do you think you can fix this?
C’est grave, vous pensez ?
Do you think it’s serious?
Vous avez une idée d’où vient le problème ?
Do you have an idea what’s causing the problem?
Je dois couper l’eau en attendant ?
Do I need to turn off the water while waiting?
Je dois faire attention à quelque chose en particulier ?
Is there anything special I should watch out for?
French Plumbing Vocabulary
Now let’s look at a list French vocabulary organized by the different rooms/places in a typical house. Note for example that “a sink” has two different translations based on what room it’s located in!
Dans La Cuisine (In the Kitchen)
- L’évier : The sink
- Le robinet : The faucet/tap
- Les canalisations : The pipes
- Le débouchage : The unclogging
- La vidange : The drainage
- Le tuyau d’évacuation : The drain pipe
- L’égouttoir : The drainer
- La fuite sous l’évier : The leak under the sink
- Le siphon : The trap (U-bend)
- La bonde : The plug or drain stopper
- La tuyauterie : The plumbing/pipes
Dans La Salle de bain (In the Bathroom)
- Le lavabo : The bathroom sink
- La baignoire : The bathtub
- La douche : The shower
- Le pommeau de douche : The shower head
- Le mélangeur : The mixer tap
- Le robinet mitigeur : The single-handle mixer
- La chasse d’eau : The toilet flush
- Les toilettes / Le WC : The toilet
- La cuvette des toilettes : The toilet bowl
- Le réservoir : The toilet tank
- Le siphon de sol : The floor drain
- La bonde de baignoire : The bathtub drain
- La fuite d’eau : The water leak
- Le calcaire : The limescale
- Le tuyau flexible : The flexible hose
La Buanderie (Laundry room)
- La machine à laver : The washing machine
- Le tuyau d’arrivée d’eau : The water inlet hose
- Le tuyau de vidange : The drain hose
- Le chauffe-eau : The water heater
- Le ballon d’eau chaude : The hot water tank
- Le raccordement : The connection for pipes or hoses
- La purge : The drain or bleed (air from pipes)
Le Sous-sol / La Cave (Basement)
- La pompe de relevage : The sump pump
- La chaudière : The boiler
- La canalisation d’évacuation : The wastewater pipe
- La conduite d’eau principale : The main water line
- La vanne d’arrêt : The shutoff valve
- Le filtre : The filter
- Le dégorgement : The unblocking (of pipes)
- Le clapet anti-retour : The non-return valve (check valve)
- La ventilation de tuyaux : The pipe vent
L’Extérieur (Outside)
- Le tuyau d’arrosage : The garden hose
- Le tuyau d’évacuation des eaux de pluie : The rainwater drainage pipe
- Le trop-plein : The overflow
- La gouttière : The gutter
- Le regard : The inspection chamber (access point to pipes)
- Le robinet extérieur : The outdoor faucet
- La vidange de piscine : The pool drain
- La fosse septique : The septic tank
Général (generic)
- La fuite : The leak
- Le tuyau : The pipe
- Le raccord : The fitting/joint
- Le joint : The seal/gasket
- Le débouchage : The unclogging
- La soupape : The valve
- La pression d’eau : The water pressure
- Le purgeur : The bleeder valve
- La clé à molette : The adjustable wrench
- Le colmatage : The sealing
- L’étanchéité : The water-tightness
- L’obstruction : The blockage
Although I hope you never get to use this vocabulary while you are on vacation, I hope this list will help you if you do.
If you have any additional vocabulary you think should be added to this list, feel free to suggest it in the comment section below.
Merci !
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide helps you communicate with plumbers in France by providing essential plumbing vocabulary in French. It’s especially useful if you’re renting a house or on vacation and need to explain common plumbing issues.
The vocabulary is grouped by room (like kitchen, bathroom, and basement), with terms for things like sinks, pipes, and drains. Each word includes the correct French article (“le,” “la,” etc.) to help you use it properly in conversation.
You can describe everyday plumbing issues like leaks, clogged drains, or broken fixtures in French. There are also terms for more specific problems, like a faulty water heater or a sump pump that’s not working.
If you’re in France and need to talk to a plumber who does not speak English, this guide gives you the key words and phrases to explain what’s wrong, making it easier to get the help you need quickly.
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