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A2 adverb #1,500 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

tellement

Top 1,500

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Erklärung tellement in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of tellement as a stronger version of 'très' (very). It is most commonly used to mean 'so' before an adjective. For example, if you see a beautiful flower, you can say 'C'est tellement beau !' (It's so beautiful!). It helps you express your feelings more strongly than just using 'très'. You will also hear it in simple phrases like 'Merci tellement !' (Thank you so much!). At this stage, focus on using it with adjectives to describe things around you. It's an easy way to make your French sound more enthusiastic and natural. Just remember that it doesn't change its spelling, no matter what you are describing. It's always 'tellement'. You might also see it with 'de' to mean 'so many', like 'tellement de fleurs' (so many flowers), which is a great way to talk about things you see in large numbers. Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just use it to add 'extra' meaning to your sentences.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use tellement more precisely with different parts of speech. You should now be comfortable using 'tellement de' followed by a noun to express 'so much' or 'so many'. For example, 'J'ai tellement de devoirs' (I have so much homework). Remember that the 'de' is essential here. You also start using tellement with verbs to express the intensity of an action, like 'Je t'aime tellement' (I love you so much) or 'Il travaille tellement' (He works so much). This level is about expanding beyond simple adjectives and using the word to quantify things and actions. You are also starting to see the 'tellement... que' structure, which links a cause to a result. For example, 'Il fait tellement chaud que je veux une glace' (It's so hot that I want an ice cream). This allows you to build longer, more interesting sentences that explain why things are happening.

At the B1 level, you should master the 'tellement... que' construction to express consequence. This is a key intermediate grammar point. You use it to show that the intensity of a quality or action leads to a specific result. For example, 'Le film était tellement triste que tout le monde a pleuré' (The movie was so sad that everyone cried). You should also be able to distinguish between tellement and tant. While they are often interchangeable, you'll notice tellement is more common in spoken French, while tant might appear more in the books you are starting to read. You also use tellement to add nuance to your opinions. Instead of just saying something is good, you explain that it is 'tellement intéressant' because of a specific reason. Your use of the word should feel more integrated into your storytelling, helping you emphasize the most important parts of your narrative.

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At the B2 level, you use tellement to add stylistic flair and emotional depth to your arguments. You understand that tellement carries a subjective weight that 'très' or 'beaucoup' lacks. In a debate, you might say 'Cet argument est tellement faible qu'il ne mérite pas d'être discuté' (This argument is so weak that it doesn't deserve to be discussed). You are also aware of the register of the word; it's perfect for informal and standard French, but you might choose 'tant' or 'si' in a very formal essay to vary your style. You should also be comfortable using tellement in the middle of compound tenses, like the passé composé: 'Nous avons tellement ri hier soir' (We laughed so much last night). Your placement of the adverb should be automatic. You also recognize idiomatic uses like 'C'est tellement ça !' to express total agreement with a complex point someone else has made.

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At the C1 level, you are exploring the subtle rhetorical uses of tellement. You can use it to create irony or sarcasm: 'C'est tellement intelligent de sa part...' (It's so 'intelligent' of him...), where the tone implies the opposite. You also use it in complex literary structures where tellement is used to set a scene or a mood. You are sensitive to the rhythm it provides in a sentence. You might use it to build up a series of points: 'Il était tellement fatigué, tellement déçu, tellement seul...' (He was so tired, so disappointed, so alone...). You also understand its role in regional dialects or specific social registers, recognizing when a speaker is using it for hyperbolic effect. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it not just for meaning, but for impact, choosing it over synonyms to achieve a specific emotional resonance in your writing or high-level speaking tasks.

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At the C2 level, your use of tellement is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it with perfect timing and intonation to convey the finest shades of meaning. You understand its historical evolution and how it functions as a bridge between the adjective 'tel' and the adverbial system. You can analyze its use in classical French literature versus modern street slang. You might use it in a philosophical context to describe the 'tellement' (the 'so-ness') of an experience. You are also capable of using it in highly formal contexts where you might deliberately choose it over 'tant' to sound more modern and relatable, or vice versa to sound more traditional. Your command of the 'tellement... que' structure is flawless, even when using complex tenses like the subjunctive in the following clause if the context requires it (though 'que' usually takes the indicative). You use the word as a precision tool for emphasis in any discourse.

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tellement in 30 Sekunden

Tellement is a versatile French adverb meaning 'so', 'so much', or 'so many'.
It intensifies adjectives (tellement beau), verbs (il travaille tellement), and nouns (tellement de gens).
The structure 'tellement... que' is used to show that an intensity leads to a specific result.
It is more emotional and common in spoken French than the neutral 'très' or the formal 'tant'.

The French word tellement is a versatile and highly expressive adverb that primarily translates to "so," "so much," or "so many" in English. It serves as an intensifier, elevating the degree of an adjective, an adverb, a verb, or a quantity of nouns. While it shares some semantic space with words like très (very) or beaucoup (much/many), tellement carries a distinct emotional weight and often implies a sense of wonder, exasperation, or consequence. It is the go-to word when a speaker wants to emphasize that something has reached a threshold that is noteworthy or even overwhelming.

The Intensifier of Degree: When modifying an adjective or another adverb, tellement functions like the English "so." It doesn't just describe a state; it highlights the extreme nature of that state. For instance, saying someone is "tellement intelligent" suggests a level of brilliance that stands out from the norm.

Ce film était tellement émouvant que j'ai pleuré.

The Quantifier of Abundance: When followed by the preposition de, it modifies nouns to mean "so much" or "so many." This is used to express a large quantity that often leads to a specific result or feeling of being overwhelmed. "Il y a tellement de monde" (There are so many people) implies a crowd that is perhaps too large for comfort.

J'ai tellement de travail ce soir.

Historically, the word is derived from the adjective tel (such) combined with the adverbial suffix -ment. This etymological root helps explain its function: it describes something as being "in such a manner" or "to such an extent." In modern usage, it has become one of the most common ways to add flavor and intensity to everyday conversation. Whether you are complaining about the weather ("Il fait tellement froid !") or expressing gratitude ("Merci tellement !"), this word allows you to convey the magnitude of your feelings. It is also a key component in complex sentences that express cause and effect, often paired with que to show that the intensity of one thing leads directly to another action or state.

Elle court tellement vite qu'elle a gagné la course.

Emotional Emphasis: Unlike the neutral beaucoup, tellement suggests a subjective reaction. It is the difference between stating a fact and sharing an experience. If you say "J'ai beaucoup mangé," you are stating you ate a lot. If you say "J'ai tellement mangé," you are likely leaning back in your chair, feeling the physical effects of the large meal.

C'est tellement gentil de votre part.

Il y a tellement de choses à voir à Paris.

Mastering tellement requires understanding its four primary syntactic roles. Each role changes the structure of the sentence slightly, and knowing these patterns will help you sound more like a native speaker. The word is incredibly flexible, appearing in simple exclamations as well as complex logical constructions.

1. With Adjectives and Adverbs: This is the most common use. Place tellement directly before the adjective or adverb you wish to intensify. It functions exactly like "so" in English. For example, "C'est tellement beau" (It's so beautiful). It emphasizes the quality of the adjective to an extreme degree.

Tu parles tellement vite que je ne comprends rien.

2. With Verbs: When modifying a verb, tellement usually follows the verb in simple tenses or the auxiliary verb in compound tenses. It means "so much." For example, "Je t'aime tellement" (I love you so much). In the passé composé, it would be "J'ai tellement ri" (I laughed so much).

Il a tellement changé depuis l'année dernière.

3. With Nouns (Quantity): To express "so much" or "so many" of a specific thing, use the structure tellement de + noun. Note that the de does not change to des even if the noun is plural. "Tellement de livres" (So many books), "Tellement de patience" (So much patience).

Nous avons tellement de souvenirs ensemble.

4. The Result Clause (Tellement... que): This is a more advanced but essential construction. It links an intensity to a consequence. "It was so [adjective] that [consequence]." In French: "C'était tellement [adjectif] que [conséquence]." This structure is used to explain the reason behind an action or a state.

Il y avait tellement de bruit que je n'ai pas pu dormir.

One subtle point to remember is the difference between tellement and si. While both can mean "so" before an adjective, tellement is generally more common in modern spoken French and carries more emphasis. Si is often found in more formal or literary contexts, or in specific idiomatic expressions. However, tellement is the only one of the two that can modify a verb or a noun directly. You cannot say "J'aime si" or "Si de livres"; in those cases, tellement (or tant) is mandatory. Using tellement correctly will allow you to express complex thoughts about cause and effect with ease.

Je suis tellement fatigué que je pourrais m'endormir ici.

If you spend any time in a French-speaking environment, you will hear tellement constantly. It is a staple of daily conversation because French culture often values expressive and emotive communication. It isn't just a word; it's a tool for social bonding, used to share enthusiasm, frustration, or empathy.

In Daily Socializing: Friends use tellement to validate each other's feelings. If a friend tells a story about a bad day, you might respond with "C'est tellement injuste !" (That's so unfair!). It shows that you aren't just listening, but you are feeling the weight of their experience. It is much more empathetic than a simple "C'est injuste."

C'est tellement vrai ce que tu dis !

In French Cinema and Music: Listen to French pop songs or watch a romantic drama, and you'll find tellement in every other scene. It is the language of passion. Lyrics like "Je t'aime tellement" or "Tu me manques tellement" (I miss you so much) are iconic. The word provides the rhythmic and emotional crescendo that these genres require.

J'ai tellement hâte de te revoir.

In Professional Contexts (with a twist): While tellement is common in the office, it's often used to describe workloads or deadlines. "On a tellement de dossiers en retard" (We have so many files behind schedule). In more formal presentations, a speaker might use it to emphasize a significant result: "Les bénéfices ont tellement augmenté que..." (Profits increased so much that...).

Le projet est tellement complexe qu'il faut plus de temps.

You will also hear it in the news and media when journalists describe extreme events. Whether it's "tellement de pluie" (so much rain) during a storm or "tellement de monde" at a protest, the word helps convey the scale of the event to the audience. It is a word that bridges the gap between objective reporting and the human experience of the magnitude of an event. Even in children's stories, tellement is used to create a sense of magic and scale: "Le géant était tellement grand qu'il touchait les nuages" (The giant was so tall that he touched the clouds). It is truly a universal word across all ages and social strata.

Il y a tellement de bruit dans cette rue.

Even though tellement is a common word, English speakers often trip up on its specific grammatical rules and its relationship with similar intensifiers. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your French sound much more natural and polished.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the "de" with Nouns: In English, we say "so many people." A common mistake is to translate this as "tellement gens." In French, tellement requires the preposition de when followed by a noun. It must be "tellement de gens." This rule is absolute, regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural.

Faux: J'ai tellement amis. (Correct: J'ai tellement d'amis.)

Mistake 2: Confusing "tellement" with "si": While both can mean "so" before an adjective, si is more restricted. You can say "C'est si bon" or "C'est tellement bon." However, you cannot use si with a verb or a noun. You cannot say "Je t'aime si" or "Il y a si de monde." In those cases, tellement (or tant) is the only option.

Faux: Il pleut si. (Correct: Il pleut tellement.)

Mistake 3: Overusing it instead of "très": Tellement is stronger than très. If you use tellement for everything, your speech might sound overly dramatic or "hyperbolic." Use très for simple facts ("La soupe est très chaude") and tellement when you want to emphasize the intensity or a consequence ("La soupe est tellement chaude que je ne peux pas la manger").

Note: Tellement implies a reaction; très is just a measurement.

Another subtle mistake is the confusion between tellement and tant. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but tant is often preferred in negative sentences or specific literary structures. For example, "Je n'ai jamais tant ri" is slightly more common than "Je n'ai jamais tellement ri," though both are understood. However, tellement is far more common in modern spoken French. Finally, remember that tellement does not change for gender or number; it is an adverb, so its form is invariable. Whether you are talking about one boy or ten girls, it remains tellement.

Elles sont tellement intelligentes.

French has a rich vocabulary for expressing intensity. While tellement is a fantastic all-rounder, knowing its synonyms and how they differ will help you choose the exact right word for the context.

Si vs. Tellement: Both mean "so" before an adjective. Si is often perceived as slightly more elegant or literary. "Elle est si belle" sounds a bit more poetic than "Elle est tellement belle," which sounds more like everyday enthusiastic speech. However, si cannot be used with verbs or nouns.

Tant vs. Tellement: Tant is the closest synonym to tellement when used with verbs or nouns ("tant de..."). It is often used in formal writing or in fixed expressions like "tant mieux" (so much the better). In modern speech, tellement has largely replaced tant for everyday emphasis.

J'ai tant à te dire. (More formal/literary than 'tellement')

Très vs. Tellement: Très is "very." It is a neutral intensifier. Tellement is "so." It adds a layer of subjective feeling or consequence. Use très for objective descriptions and tellement for emotional or consequential ones.

C'est très bon. vs C'est tellement bon !

Énormément vs. Tellement: Énormément means "enormously" or "a huge amount." It is more specific than tellement and focuses purely on the massive scale of something. It is often used with verbs: "Je l'apprécie énormément." It doesn't usually pair with que to form result clauses.

Finally, consider drôlement. While it literally means "funnily," in informal French, it is used as an intensifier meaning "really" or "surprisingly." "Il est drôlement grand !" (He's really tall!). This is a great word to use if you want to sound more like a native speaker in casual settings. However, tellement remains the most versatile and safe choice for any situation where you want to express that something is "so" much of something.

C'est drôlement difficile ce problème.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-ment' originally meant 'with a mind', so 'tellement' literally meant 'with such a mind' or 'in such a way' before it became a general intensifier.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tɛl.mɑ̃/

US /tɛl.mɑ̃/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the final nasal 'ment' often carries a slight melodic rise in emotive speech.

Reimt sich auf

vraiment seulement maman lent vent souvent pourtant content

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 't' at the end (it is silent).
Pronouncing the 'n' as a hard English 'n' instead of nasalizing the vowel.
Making the 'e' in 'tel' sound like 'tay' (it should be 'tehl').
Stressing the first syllable too heavily like English 'TELL-ment'.
Forgetting to keep the 'l' clear and crisp.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like 'tel' + 'ment'.

Schreiben 2/5

Must remember the 'de' with nouns and the 'que' for results.

Sprechen 2/5

Requires correct nasal pronunciation of the 'ment' suffix.

Hören 1/5

Commonly used and usually easy to hear in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

très beaucoup si que de

Als Nächstes lernen

tant tel si bien que par conséquent énormément

Fortgeschritten

fulgurant dérisoire exacerbé à tel point que tant et si bien que

Wichtige Grammatik

Adverb placement in compound tenses

J'ai tellement ri. (Between auxiliary and participle)

The preposition 'de' after adverbs of quantity

Tellement de gens. (Never 'des')

Consecutive clauses with 'que'

Il est tellement fatigué qu'il dort.

Elision with 'de'

Tellement d'amis. (Before a vowel)

Invariability of adverbs

Elles sont tellement belles. (No 's' or 'e' added)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

C'est tellement beau !

It's so beautiful!

Tellement + adjective.

Merci tellement !

Thank you so much!

Used as a standalone intensifier.

Il fait tellement chaud.

It is so hot.

Tellement + adjective.

C'est tellement bon !

It's so good!

Expressing taste/quality.

Tu es tellement gentil.

You are so kind.

Tellement + adjective.

Je suis tellement content.

I am so happy.

Expressing emotion.

Elle est tellement grande.

She is so tall.

Describing physical traits.

C'est tellement loin.

It's so far.

Tellement + adverb of place.

J'ai tellement de travail.

I have so much work.

Tellement de + noun.

Il y a tellement de monde.

There are so many people.

Tellement de + noun.

Je t'aime tellement.

I love you so much.

Tellement modifying a verb.

Il pleut tellement aujourd'hui.

It's raining so much today.

Tellement modifying a verb.

Nous avons tellement de chance.

We are so lucky.

Tellement de + noun.

Elle court tellement vite.

She runs so fast.

Tellement + adverb.

J'ai tellement faim !

I'm so hungry!

Idiomatic use with 'avoir faim'.

C'est tellement facile !

It's so easy!

Tellement + adjective.

Il fait tellement froid que le lac est gelé.

It's so cold that the lake is frozen.

Tellement... que (consequence).

J'ai tellement mangé que je ne peux plus bouger.

I ate so much that I can't move anymore.

Tellement... que with a verb.

Elle parle tellement bien français qu'on dirait une native.

She speaks French so well that she sounds like a native.

Tellement + adverb + que.

Il y avait tellement de bruit que je n'ai rien entendu.

There was so much noise that I heard nothing.

Tellement de + noun + que.

C'est tellement dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir.

It's such a shame that you can't come.

Tellement + noun (idiomatic).

Il a tellement changé que je ne l'ai pas reconnu.

He changed so much that I didn't recognize him.

Tellement modifying a verb in passé composé.

Ce livre est tellement long que je ne le finirai jamais.

This book is so long that I will never finish it.

Tellement + adjective + que.

J'ai tellement d'idées pour ce projet.

I have so many ideas for this project.

Tellement d' + noun starting with a vowel.

La situation est tellement complexe qu'il faut agir avec prudence.

The situation is so complex that we must act with caution.

Formal use of consequence.

Ils ont tellement insisté que j'ai fini par accepter.

They insisted so much that I finally accepted.

Tellement modifying a verb in passé composé.

C'est tellement typique de sa part d'arriver en retard.

It's so typical of him to arrive late.

Expressing a characteristic trait.

Il y a tellement de facteurs à prendre en compte.

There are so many factors to take into account.

Tellement de + abstract noun.

Je suis tellement déçu par ce résultat.

I am so disappointed by this result.

Strong emotional emphasis.

Le paysage était tellement magnifique que nous nous sommes arrêtés.

The landscape was so magnificent that we stopped.

Tellement... que in a narrative.

C'est tellement vrai ce que tu dis là.

What you're saying there is so true.

Informal emphasis.

Il a tellement plu que la rivière a débordé.

It rained so much that the river overflowed.

Tellement modifying an impersonal verb.

L'œuvre est tellement imprégnée de mélancolie qu'elle en devient sublime.

The work is so permeated with melancholy that it becomes sublime.

Literary/Academic use.

Il s'est tellement investi dans ce rôle qu'il a fini par s'y perdre.

He invested himself so much in this role that he ended up losing himself in it.

Reflexive verb + tellement.

C'est tellement dérisoire face à l'ampleur de la crise.

It's so insignificant compared to the scale of the crisis.

Using advanced vocabulary with tellement.

Elle a tellement de répartie qu'elle gagne tous ses débats.

She has so much wit that she wins all her debates.

Tellement de + abstract quality.

Le silence était tellement pesant qu'on n'osait plus respirer.

The silence was so heavy that we didn't dare breathe anymore.

Creating atmosphere with tellement... que.

C'est tellement gratifiant de voir ses efforts récompensés.

It's so rewarding to see one's efforts rewarded.

Abstract emotional state.

Il y a tellement d'incertitudes dans ce dossier.

There are so many uncertainties in this file.

Tellement d' + plural noun.

Le film est tellement surcoté, je ne comprends pas le succès.

The movie is so overrated, I don't understand the success.

Modern/Informal critique.

Sa pensée est tellement fulgurante qu'elle déconcerte ses interlocuteurs.

His thought is so dazzling that it disconcerts his interlocutors.

High-level vocabulary (fulgurante).

Le texte est tellement truffé d'allusions qu'il nécessite une exégèse.

The text is so full of allusions that it requires an exegesis.

Academic/Literary context.

Il s'est tellement éloigné de ses principes originels.

He has distanced himself so much from his original principles.

Nuanced moral description.

C'est tellement inhérent à sa nature qu'il ne peut s'en empêcher.

It's so inherent to his nature that he can't help it.

Philosophical use.

La mise en scène était tellement épurée qu'elle en était troublante.

The staging was so minimalist that it was unsettling.

Artistic criticism.

Il y a tellement de non-dits dans leur relation.

There are so many things left unsaid in their relationship.

Using 'non-dits' with tellement.

C'est tellement symptomatique d'un malaise plus profond.

It's so symptomatic of a deeper malaise.

Sociological analysis.

Elle a tellement d'aplomb qu'elle intimide ses adversaires.

She has so much poise that she intimidates her opponents.

Describing character with 'aplomb'.

Häufige Kollokationen

tellement de choses

tellement de gens

tellement vrai

tellement hâte

tellement mieux

tellement de temps

tellement de bruit

tellement de chance

tellement de travail

tellement de souvenirs

Häufige Phrasen

C'est tellement ça !

— That's exactly it! Used to express total agreement with a statement.

— Il est un peu arrogant, non ? — C'est tellement ça !

Je t'aime tellement.

— I love you so much. A standard expression of deep affection.

Maman, je t'aime tellement.

Merci tellement !

— Thank you so much! A more emphatic way to say thank you.

Merci tellement pour ton aide précieuse.

C'est tellement dommage.

— It's such a shame. Used to express regret about a situation.

C'est tellement dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir.

Il y a tellement d'argent.

— There is so much money. Often used to describe wealth or cost.

Il y a tellement d'argent en jeu dans ce projet.

C'est tellement injuste.

— It's so unfair. A common exclamation of frustration.

Il a perdu son travail, c'est tellement injuste.

J'ai tellement faim.

— I'm so hungry. Used for physical urgency.

On mange quand ? J'ai tellement faim.

C'est tellement facile.

— It's so easy. Used to describe a simple task.

Regarde, c'est tellement facile à faire.

Tu me manques tellement.

— I miss you so much. A common romantic or friendly expression.

Reviens vite, tu me manques tellement.

C'est tellement triste.

— It's so sad. Used to express empathy or reaction to bad news.

J'ai vu les nouvelles, c'est tellement triste.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

tellement vs si

Only used with adjectives/adverbs, whereas tellement is more flexible.

tellement vs tant

Often more formal or used in negative constructions.

tellement vs tel

Tel is an adjective (such), while tellement is the adverb (so).

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"en faire tellement"

— To do so much (often implying overdoing it).

Elle en fait tellement pour ses enfants.

Neutral

"tellement que"

— So much that (introducing a result).

Il a ri tellement qu'il en a pleuré.

Neutral

"pas tellement"

— Not really / Not so much.

— Tu aimes ce film ? — Pas tellement.

Neutral

"tellement de... que"

— So many [nouns] that...

Il y a tellement de vent que les arbres tombent.

Neutral

"C'est tellement lui/elle !"

— That's so him/her! (Describing typical behavior).

Il a encore oublié ses clés, c'est tellement lui !

Informal

"tellement peu"

— So little / So few.

On a tellement peu de temps.

Neutral

"tellement plus"

— So much more.

C'est tellement plus intéressant maintenant.

Neutral

"tellement moins"

— So much less.

C'est tellement moins cher ici.

Neutral

"être tellement dans son monde"

— To be so much in one's own world (daydreaming).

Il est tellement dans son monde qu'il ne m'entend pas.

Informal

"tellement de la chance"

— So much luck (often used as an exclamation).

Tu as tellement de la chance d'habiter ici !

Informal

Leicht verwechselbar

tellement vs très

Both intensify adjectives.

Très is neutral/factual; tellement is emotional/consequential.

Il est très riche. vs Il est tellement riche qu'il a un jet.

tellement vs beaucoup

Both express large quantities.

Beaucoup is neutral; tellement implies 'so much' (often too much).

J'ai beaucoup d'amis. vs J'ai tellement d'amis que je suis occupé.

tellement vs trop

Used as synonyms in slang.

Trop technically means 'too much' (excess), while tellement means 'so much' (intensity).

C'est trop chaud (Too hot to eat) vs C'est tellement chaud (So hot!).

tellement vs si

Both translate to 'so'.

Si is restricted to adjectives/adverbs; tellement works with verbs and nouns too.

Si beau vs Tellement beau / Tellement de gens.

tellement vs tant

Both mean 'so much'.

Tant is more formal or used in comparisons/negations.

Je n'ai jamais tant ri.

Satzmuster

C'est tellement [adjective].

C'est tellement grand.

J'ai tellement de [noun].

J'ai tellement de livres.

[Subject] [verb] tellement.

Il travaille tellement.

Il est tellement [adj] que [clause].

Il est tellement petit qu'il ne voit rien.

Il y a tellement de [noun] que [clause].

Il y a tellement de vent que je rentre.

[Subject] a tellement [past participle].

Elle a tellement grandi.

C'est tellement [adv] [adj].

C'est tellement incroyablement beau.

Tellement de [noun] ont [verb].

Tellement de gens ont cru à cette histoire.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

tel (used as a noun in some contexts)

telle (feminine form)

Adjektive

tel

telle

tels

telles (meaning 'such')

Verwandt

tel quel

un tel

telle quelle

tel que

tant

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written French.

Häufige Fehler

J'ai tellement amis. → J'ai tellement d'amis.
You must use 'de' (or d') when 'tellement' is followed by a noun.
C'est tellement beaucoup. → C'est tellement.
Combining 'tellement' and 'beaucoup' is redundant. Use one or the other.
Il est tellement que je ne peux pas voir. → Il est tellement grand que je ne peux pas voir.
You need an adjective or adverb between 'tellement' and 'que' in this structure.
J'ai mangé tellement. → J'ai tellement mangé.
In compound tenses, the adverb usually precedes the past participle.
C'est si de monde. → C'est tellement de monde.
'Si' cannot be used with nouns; only 'tellement' or 'tant' can.

Tipps

The 'De' Rule

Always remember 'tellement de' + noun. It's one of the most common mistakes for English speakers to omit the 'de'.

Emotional Range

Use 'tellement' to show you care. It adds a human touch to your French that 'très' lacks.

Avoid Redundancy

Don't use 'tellement' and 'trop' together. Choose the one that fits the level of intensity you want.

Nasal Vowels

The 'ment' ending is a nasal 'an'. Practice by blocking your nose; the sound should vibrate in your nasal passage.

Cause and Effect

Use 'tellement... que' to make your writing more cohesive and logical.

Synonym Check

If you are writing a formal essay, consider using 'tant' or 'si' to vary your language.

Agreement

Learn the phrase 'C'est tellement ça !' to instantly sound like a native in conversations.

The 'T' Connection

Link 'Tellement' with 'Totally' and 'Tant' to remember they all start with T and add emphasis.

Invariability

Never add an 's' to 'tellement'. It's an adverb, so it never changes form.

Word Order

In the passé composé, put 'tellement' before the past participle: 'J'ai tellement ri'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Tell Men'—if you have 'tellement' to say, you have 'so much' to tell men (and women!).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant thermometer where the mercury is rising 'tellement' high that it bursts at the top.

Word Web

si tant beaucoup très intensifier consequence emotion quantity

Herausforderung

Try to use 'tellement' three times today: once with an adjective, once with a verb, and once with a noun.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old French adjective 'tel' (from Latin 'talis', meaning 'such') and the adverbial suffix '-ment' (from Latin 'mente', meaning 'with a mind' or 'in a manner').

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: In such a manner or to such an extent.

Romance (Latin roots).

Kultureller Kontext

There are no major sensitivities; it is a safe, versatile word for all audiences.

English speakers often under-use 'tellement', sticking to 'très' or 'beaucoup'. To sound more French, swap 'very' for 'so' (tellement) more often.

The song 'Je t'aime tellement' by various artists. The movie 'Tellement proches' (2009) by Nakache & Toledano. The common expression 'C'est tellement ça !' in French social media.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At a Restaurant

C'est tellement bon !
Il y a tellement de choix.
J'ai tellement mangé.
Le service est tellement lent.

At Work

J'ai tellement de dossiers.
Le projet est tellement urgent.
On a tellement de réunions.
C'est tellement compliqué.

Expressing Emotions

Je suis tellement heureux.
C'est tellement triste.
Tu me manques tellement.
Je suis tellement fier de toi.

Weather

Il fait tellement chaud.
Il y a tellement de vent.
Il pleut tellement.
C'est tellement beau dehors.

Socializing

C'est tellement gentil.
On a tellement ri.
Il y a tellement de monde.
C'est tellement vrai.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Pourquoi y a-t-il tellement de circulation aujourd'hui ?"

"Est-ce que tu as tellement de travail cette semaine ?"

"Quel film est tellement triste que tu as pleuré ?"

"Pourquoi est-ce tellement difficile d'apprendre le français ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves que Paris est tellement cher ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris un moment où tu étais tellement heureux que tu ne pouvais pas arrêter de sourire.

Y a-t-il un livre qui est tellement intéressant que tu l'as lu en une journée ?

Parle d'une situation qui était tellement injuste selon toi.

Qu'est-ce qui te manque tellement quand tu es loin de chez toi ?

Pourquoi y a-t-il tellement de stress dans la vie moderne ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that would be redundant. You use one or the other. Say 'J'ai tellement d'amis' or 'J'ai beaucoup d'amis', but never 'tellement beaucoup'.

It is neutral. You can use it in a job interview, a letter to a friend, or a novel. It is universally accepted.

No. It is an adverb, and adverbs in French are invariable. It stays 'tellement' regardless of gender or number.

Both mean 'so' before adjectives. 'Si' is slightly more formal/literary. 'Tellement' is more common in speech and can also modify verbs and nouns.

Use 'tellement de' before a consonant (tellement de pain) and 'tellement d'' before a vowel or silent H (tellement d'eau, tellement d'histoires).

Yes, in modern informal French, 'C'est tellement ça !' means 'That is totally it!' or 'I totally agree!'

In simple tenses, it follows the verb (Il court tellement). In compound tenses, it usually goes between the auxiliary and the participle (Il a tellement couru).

No. After 'tellement', the partitive article always becomes 'de' (or d'). It is always 'tellement de [noun]'.

Yes, it is the standard way to express that an intensity caused a specific outcome. 'Il était tellement fatigué qu'il s'est endormi'.

Yes, in spoken French for emphasis. 'Je l'aime, tellement !' (I love it/him, so much!).

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