total
/tɔ.tal/
The English word 'total' as a noun meaning 'sum' is translated into French as total.
In its primary sense, total refers to the sum of a calculation. It can also function as an adjective meaning 'complete' or 'entire'. Related ways to express completeness include the adjective total and the adverb totalement, which means 'totally' or 'completely'.
Meaning: sum (noun)
Which one should you use?
While total can be used as an adjective, when you specifically want to refer to the sum of a calculation as a noun, you should use le total.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on its use and the gender and number of the noun it modifies. As an adjective, the masculine singular is total, the feminine singular is totale, the masculine plural is totaux and the feminine plural is totales. The adverbial form is totalement.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /tɔ.tal/.
Did you know?
- While le total refers to a mathematical sum, French speakers use the phrase au total to mean 'all in all' or 'in total' when summarizing a situation.
- In casual French, totalement can be used as an enthusiastic way to say 'totally' or 'absolutely' in agreement, mirroring the modern English slang usage.
- The word total entered Middle French in the 14th century as a borrowing from the Medieval Latin word tōtālis.
Examples in context
- Le silence était total.There was total silence.This sentence uses total to describe the state of silence.Tatoeba #11624729 by Aiji, translation #3732759 by CK
- Le total inclut les taxes.The total includes tax.This sentence uses total to refer to a sum.Tatoeba #8487402 by Aiji, translation #5427674 by AlanF_US
- Je suis totalement d'accord.I'm in absolutely total agreement.This sentence uses totalement to express complete agreement.Tatoeba #926865 by bojnin, translation #4529461 by CK
- Le montant total de la commande s'élève à 500 euros.The total amount of the order is 500 euros.
- Le rapport intégral de la réunion sera envoyé demain.The full report of the meeting will be sent tomorrow.
- Je suis complètement d'accord avec toi !I totally agree with you!
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are checking a receipt at a cafe.
- LucasQuel est le total, s'il vous plaît ?What is the total, please?
- EmmaLe total est de vingt euros.The total is twenty euros.
- LucasEst-ce que le total est correct ?Is the total correct?
- EmmaOui, tout semble bon.Yes, everything seems fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry total, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries total, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
