Are you planning a trip to France or just curious to learn more about the French language? Knowing how to say “both” can be quite useful in various situations. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to express the concept of “both” in French, while also providing tips, examples, and highlighting any regional variations if necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Both”
In formal situations, such as in business conversations or when speaking to someone you hold in high regard, there are a few different options for expressing “both” in French. Let’s explore them below:
List of Formal Expressions for “Both”
- Tous les deux : This is the most common and straightforward way to say “both” in formal French. For example, “Both of them arrived late” can be translated as “Tous les deux sont arrivés en retard.”
- Les deux : This expression is also acceptable in formal situations, but it is slightly less common than “tous les deux.” For instance, you can say “Les deux sont superbes” to mean “Both are superb.”
Informal Ways to Say “Both”
In informal contexts, you have more flexibility with your language usage, and there are some additional options to express “both” in French. Here are some informal expressions to keep in mind:
List of Informal Expressions for “Both”
- Tous les deux : Just like in formal situations, “tous les deux” is also commonly used in informal French. For example, “Both of them are funny” can be translated as “Tous les deux sont drôles.”
- Les deux : Similar to the formal usage, “les deux” can also be used informally without any issues. For instance, “I like both of them” can be expressed as “J’aime les deux.”
- Tous les deux deux : Although it may sound a bit repetitive, some French speakers use “tous les deux deux” to add emphasis or bring attention to the fact that there are two things or people. It’s a colloquial form used in casual conversations. For example, “I saw both of them today” can be expressed as “J’ai vu tous les deux deux aujourd’hui.”
Examples and Tips
To further clarify the usage of “both” in French, let’s dive into some examples and handy tips:
Examples
– In a formal conversation: “Both candidates have impressive qualifications” would be “Tous les deux candidats ont des qualifications impressionnantes.
– In an informal conversation: “Both movies were fantastic” would be “Les deux films étaient fantastiques.”
Tips
- Remember to use the appropriate verb agreement in French according to the subject. For example, if you want to say “Both of them are talented,” you would say “Tous les deux sont talentueux.”
- If you want to emphasize “both” in a more casual way, you can use “tous les deux deux” as mentioned earlier.
- Practice using “both” in several sentences to familiarize yourself with the different contexts and expressions.
- When in doubt, using “tous les deux” is always a safe and widely understood option, both in formal and informal settings.
Conclusion
Learning how to say “both” in French opens up possibilities for effective communication and helps you express yourself more accurately. In formal contexts, “tous les deux” and “les deux” are the most appropriate choices. In informal conversations, you have additional options like “tous les deux deux” to add emphasis. Remember to practice and listen to native speakers to become more confident in using these expressions naturally.
