c'est tout
The English phrase 'that is all' is translated into French as c'est tout.
c'est tout is used to indicate that a list is complete or that there is nothing more to add. When used as a standalone sentence, C'est tout. functions similarly to the English 'That's it' to signal the end of a statement or transaction.
Which one should you use?
While c'est tout means 'that is all', the phrase ce n'est pas tout is used to mean 'that is not all' or 'there is more'.
Did you know?
- Using C'est tout to end a conversation can sometimes be perceived as a 'conversation killer' if not accompanied by a smile or a polite closing remark.
- The word tout shares an ancestor with the English word 'total', stemming from the Latin 'tōtus' which means 'whole'.
- French speakers often accompany C'est tout with a small shrug or a palms-up gesture to emphasize that there is genuinely nothing more to provide.
Examples in context
- C'est tout ce que j'ai.That is all I have.This sentence uses c'est tout to show the extent of what one possesses.Tatoeba #900601 by sacredceltic, translation #43122 by autuno
- C'est tout ce qu'il a dit.That is all that he said.This sentence uses c'est tout to limit the scope of what someone said.Tatoeba #1292282 by sacredceltic, translation #56159 by CK
- C'est tout ce que je peux vous dire.That is all I can tell you.This sentence uses c'est tout to indicate the limit of what can be told.Tatoeba #12176705 by lbdx, translation #3200425 by CK
- C'est tout ce que je voulais dire.That is all I wanted to say
- Voilà, c'est terminé!There you go, that's it!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa is checking a shopping list with Nathan at the market.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il manque quelque chose, Nathan ?Is anything missing, Nathan?
- NathanNon, c'est tout pour le dîner.No, that is all for dinner.
- LéaTu es sûr que c'est tout ?Are you sure that is all?
- NathanOui, c'est tout.Yes, that is all.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries c'est, tout, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
