pas tout le monde
The English phrase "not everyone" is translated into French as pas tout le monde.
Pas tout le monde is used to indicate that a statement does not apply to every person within a specific group. It functions as the negation of tout le monde (everyone).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to not all the world.
Which one should you use?
While tout le monde means "everyone", adding the negation pas creates the meaning "not everyone".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, you may encounter two informal variations to convey "not everyone": Pas tout l'monde and Pas toute la gang.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using pas tout le monde as the subject in a cleft sentence (for example, to say "It is not everyone who…"), it is typically followed by qui to mean "not everyone who".
Did you know?
- The word pas in pas tout le monde originally meant 'a step'. It was once used literally to say that something did not happen by even a single step.
Examples in context
- Ce n'est pas tout le monde qui aime le football.Not everyone likes soccer.This sentence shows how to use pas tout le monde to express that a preference does not apply to every person.Tatoeba #12899002 by slahatuvelli, translation #13864237 by tieguy
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are discussing a recent party.
- ChloéTout le monde a aimé la musique, non ?Everyone liked the music, didn't they?
- LucasPas tout le monde, certains trouvaient ça trop fort.Not everyone, some thought it was too loud.
- ChloéC'est vrai, Lucas, je comprends leur point de vue.That's true, Lucas, I understand their point of view.
- LucasOui, il faut savoir s'adapter aux goûts de chacun.Yes, one has to adapt to everyone's tastes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries le, monde, pas, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
