French · Real conversations
How to say “We're running out of ...” in French
Explain that a supply is nearly used up.
On n'a presque plus de …
We're running out of …
Use the construction appropriate to the product and its number.
Use it in three situations
A kitchen supply
On n'a presque plus de lait.
We're running out of milk.
Household essentials
On n'a presque plus de papier toilette.
We're running out of toilet paper.
Planning a grocery trip
Il faut acheter du riz.
We need to buy more rice.
What to watch for
Running out describes dwindling supplies; it does not describe running outside.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine sharing a home. Say this in French: We're running out of toilet paper.
Reveal a sample reply
On n'a presque plus de papier toilette.
We're running out of toilet paper.
Build a useful exchange
Share chores, supplies, and a household cost.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
