tout seul
The English phrase "by myself" is translated into French as tout seul.
The phrase is used to express that someone is alone or without any other people present.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tout seul means "completely alone", where tout means "completely" or "all" and seul means "alone".
Which one should you use?
While seul means "alone", using the phrase tout seul adds emphasis to the state of being entirely alone or all by oneself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the person being described. A woman would use toute seule to say "all by myself (feminine)".
Did you know?
- In French, tout seul can describe a child who has learned to do something without help, such as tying their shoes, regardless of whether other people are in the room.
- If you were to say you are tout seul to a French person, they might wonder if you are lonely or simply physically unaccompanied, as the phrase covers both nuances.
- The word seul is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'solo', as both are derived from the Latin 'solus'.
Examples in context
- Je suis tout seul.I'm all by myself.This sentence is useful for saying "I'm all by myself.".Tatoeba #6989 by sysko, translation #2549085 by CK
- J'ai fait ça tout seul.I did that by myself.This sentence is useful for saying "I did that by myself.".Tatoeba #7067902 by Aiji, translation #6220071 by CK
- Je l'ai résolu tout seul.I figured it out by myself.This sentence is useful for saying "I figured it out by myself."Tatoeba #2417472 by sacredceltic, translation #2326243 by CK
- Je travaille seul(e).I am working by myself.
- Je l'ai fait tout seul(e).I did it all by myself.
- Il est parti en solitaire dans la forêt.He went by himself into the forest.
- Je suis allé(e) seul(e) au cinéma.I went to the movies by myself.
- Regardez! Il se brosse les dents seul comme un grand!Look! He's brushing his teeth by himself like a grown-up!
- J'ai fait les courses tout(e) seul(e).I did the shopping by myself.
- Je vais faire ça moi-même.I will do it by myself.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are talking about a movie at the cinema.
- ChloéTu es venu au cinéma tout seul ?Did you come to the cinema by yourself?
- LucasOui, je suis venu tout seul.Yes, I came by myself.
- ChloéJe ne voulais pas te laisser tout seul.I didn't want to leave you all alone.
- LucasCe n'est pas grave, Chloé.It's okay, Chloé.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries seul, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
