les deux
The English word 'both' can be translated into French as les deux. Wiktionary also lists tout deux and tous les deux.
Meaning: each of two, one and the other (det)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| les deux | ||
| tout deux | ||
| tous les deux | /tu le dø/ | plural |
The phrases used to say 'both' are typically used to refer to each of two things or people. If you wish to express the conjunction 'both…and…', you should use the phrase à la fois … et …
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tous les deux literally translates to 'all the two'.
Which one should you use?
les deux means 'the two', but it is the standard way to say 'both' when the noun is implied or follows a verb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to 'both of them', the choice of form depends on gender. Use tous les deux when referring to both of two masculine or mixed-gender people or objects. If you are referring to two feminine people or objects, use toutes les deux.
Did you know?
- The word tout inside the phrase is a relative of the Spanish word 'todo' and the Italian word 'tutto'.
- If you are referring to two inanimate objects that are grammatically feminine, such as 'chairs', you must still use the feminine toutes les deux.
- While les deux is standard, the phrase tous les deux adds an extra layer of emphasis to ensure the listener knows the entire pair is included.
Examples in context
- Je connais les deux.I know both of them.This sentence shows how to use les deux to mean 'both of them'.Tatoeba #822066 by sacredceltic, translation #260874 by minshirui
- Les deux sont à Tom.Both of these are Tom's.This sentence demonstrates using les deux to mean 'both of these'.Tatoeba #6863706 by GB3, translation #6863405 by CK
- Les deux sont à moi.Both of these are mine.This sentence uses les deux to mean 'both of these' in the context of ownership.Tatoeba #6866065 by Rockaround, translation #6863386 by CK
- Les deux garçons sont intelligents.Both boys are intelligent.
- Les deux gâteaux sont délicieux.Both cakes are delicious.
- Les deux pièces… et elles sont toutes les deux bleues.Both rooms… and they are both blue.
- 532 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are at a café deciding on desserts.
- EmmaEst-ce que tu veux les deux gâteaux ?Do you want both cakes?
- GabrielNon, je ne peux pas manger les deux.No, I cannot eat both.
- EmmaAlors, choisis-en un seulement.Then, just choose one.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais prendre le chocolat.Okay, I will take the chocolate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “both” translations and entries tous les deux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deux, les, tous, tous les deux, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
