toutes
You've encountered toutes, the feminine plural form of "all" or "every." It's essential to match the gender and number of the noun it modifies. So, if you're talking about multiple feminine things, toutes is your go-to word. For example, toutes les filles means "all the girls." This is different from tous les garçons ("all the boys"), where tous is the masculine plural form. Remember that agreement is key in French!
When we use the word toutes, we're talking about a group of things or people that are all feminine and there's more than one of them. It's like saying "all of them" or "every single one" for a feminine plural noun. For example, if you're talking about all the girls, you'd use toutes les filles. It's important to match the gender and number, so for masculine plural, you'd use tous, for feminine singular, toute, and for masculine singular, tout.
§ Don't mix up "toutes" and "tous"
This is probably the most common mistake. Remember that "toutes" is for feminine plural nouns. "Tous" is for masculine plural nouns. It's all about gender agreement in French!
Toutes les femmes sont ici. (All the women are here.)
Tous les hommes sont ici. (All the men are here.)
§ Forgetting the article after "toutes"
In French, when you say "all the..." or "every..." with "toutes," you almost always need to include the definite article (les, des, ses, etc.) right after it. It's not like English where you can often drop "the."
- Wrong:
- Toutes voitures sont rapides. (Incorrect: All cars are fast.)
- Right:
- Toutes les voitures sont rapides. (Correct: All the cars are fast.)
The article is essential here. It connects "toutes" to the noun properly.
§ Using "toutes" for a singular noun
Remember, "toutes" is specifically for *plural* feminine nouns. If you're talking about a single feminine noun, you'll use "toute" (singular feminine) or a different construction altogether.
- Wrong:
- Toutes la journée. (Incorrect: All the day.)
- Right:
- Toute la journée. (Correct: All day / The whole day.)
This is a common slip-up because in English, "all day" sounds plural, but "journée" (day) is a singular feminine noun in French, thus requiring "toute" (singular feminine).
§ Mispronouncing the 's' at the end
While the 's' at the end of many French words is silent, with "toutes," you generally *do* pronounce it, especially when followed by a vowel sound (liaison) or when emphasizing the word. However, in everyday speech, it's often more subtle than a hard 's'.
- When followed by a consonant sound, the 's' is typically silent.
- When followed by a vowel sound, a 'z' sound is often made (liaison).
Toutes les filles. (All the girls - 's' often silent or very light 'z' sound if followed by 'les' which starts with a vowel sound in fluent speech, but generally pronounced with 's' sound if 'les' is omitted.)
Toutes ensemble. (All together - liaison: 'tout-taze' ensemble, pronounced with a 'z' sound.)
How Formal Is It?
"Toutes les candidates ont été invitées à la réception. (All the candidates were invited to the reception.)"
"J'ai lu toutes les pages de ce livre. (I read all the pages of this book.)"
"On a mangé toutes les frites ! (We ate all the fries!)"
"Toutes les petites fleurs sont jolies. (All the little flowers are pretty.)"
"Elles sont toutes cramées, ces meufs ! (They're all super cool, these girls! - 'Cramées' here used informally to mean 'amazing' or 'cool' in a very casual, almost slangy way)."
Wusstest du?
The 's' at the end of 'toutes' is a remnant of Latin declension, indicating plurality. Many French words have dropped their final 's' over time, but it remains in some determiners and pronouns.
Beispiele nach Niveau
J'ai mangé toutes les pommes.
I ate all the apples.
Here, 'toutes' agrees in gender and number with 'les pommes' (feminine plural).
Toutes mes amies sont là.
All my friends are here.
'Toutes' modifies 'mes amies' (feminine plural).
Elle a visité toutes les villes.
She visited all the cities.
'Toutes' agrees with 'les villes' (feminine plural).
Nous avons lu toutes les pages.
We read all the pages.
Again, 'toutes' matches 'les pages' (feminine plural).
Toutes les filles jouent.
All the girls are playing.
'Toutes' is used before 'les filles' (feminine plural noun).
J'aime toutes les couleurs.
I like all the colors.
'Toutes' modifies 'les couleurs' (feminine plural).
Elle a acheté toutes les fleurs.
She bought all the flowers.
In this sentence, 'toutes' agrees with 'les fleurs' (feminine plural).
Toutes les lumières sont allumées.
All the lights are on.
'Toutes' is used with 'les lumières' (feminine plural).
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While 'chaque' means 'each' or 'every' (singular), 'toutes' means 'all' (feminine plural). They refer to different quantities and genders.
The primary confusion for 'toutes' (determiner) is with 'tous' (determiner), as 'toutes' is feminine plural and 'tous' is masculine plural. Both mean 'all' or 'every' but refer to different genders of plural nouns.
'Toutes' is feminine plural, while 'tout' is masculine singular. They both mean 'all' or 'every' but differ in gender and number agreement.
Leicht verwechselbar
Many learners struggle with the different forms of 'tout' and when to use each. This form is the masculine singular adjective.
'Tout' as a masculine singular adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It means 'all' or 'every'.
Tout le monde est là. (Everyone is here.)
Similar to 'tout', 'toute' is often confused with its other forms. This is the feminine singular adjective.
'Toute' as a feminine singular adjective agrees with the noun it modifies. It also means 'all' or 'every'.
Toute la journée. (All day long.)
The plural forms can be particularly tricky, especially distinguishing between the adjective and pronoun forms. This is the masculine plural adjective.
'Tous' as a masculine plural adjective agrees with the noun it modifies. It means 'all' or 'every'.
Tous les garçons. (All the boys.)
Learners often mix up 'tous' as an adjective and 'tous' as a pronoun, which has a different pronunciation.
'Tous' as a pronoun replaces a masculine plural noun. The 's' is pronounced when it's a pronoun, unlike when it's an adjective. It means 'all of them'.
Nous les avons tous vus. (We saw all of them.)
Like the masculine pronoun, 'toutes' as a pronoun can be confusing when compared to its adjective form.
'Toutes' as a pronoun replaces a feminine plural noun. It means 'all of them'.
Elles sont toutes prêtes. (They are all ready.)
Wortherkunft
Old French 'tot'
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: All, whole
Indo-European, RomanceKultureller Kontext
In French, agreement is very important! The word 'toutes' specifically refers to a group of all-female nouns. For example, if you're talking about 'all the girls,' you would use 'toutes les filles.' If it were a mixed group, or all male, you'd use 'tous.'
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen'Tous' is for masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'tous les garçons' - all the boys). 'Toutes' is for feminine plural nouns (e.g., 'toutes les filles' - all the girls). They both mean 'all' or 'every', but you need to match the gender of the noun they refer to.
You use 'toutes les' when 'toutes' is followed by a feminine plural noun (e.g., 'toutes les maisons' - all the houses). You can use just 'toutes' when the noun is implied or already mentioned, or when it's part of a phrase like 'elles sont toutes là' (they are all there).
No, if there's even one masculine item in a group, you must use 'tous'. In French, the masculine form takes precedence for mixed-gender groups. So, for a group of boys and girls, you'd say 'tous les enfants' (all the children).
No, the pronunciation of 'toutes' itself doesn't change. It's pronounced /tut/. However, sometimes the 's' can link to a following vowel sound, but the 'es' ending is generally silent.
Yes, a common one is 'toutes les deux' (both, literally 'all two', referring to two feminine items), or 'toutes les semaines' (every week). You'll hear 'à toutes jambes' (at top speed) too.
You need to know the gender of the singular noun first. For example, 'maison' (house) is feminine, so its plural 'maisons' is feminine plural. Generally, words ending in -e are often feminine, but there are exceptions. It's best to learn the gender with the noun.
Yes, 'toutes' can function as a pronoun, meaning 'all of them' (referring to feminine plural items). For example, 'Les filles sont là ? Oui, elles sont toutes là.' (Are the girls here? Yes, they are all here.).
Often, but not always. When it's directly followed by a noun, it almost always takes 'les' (e.g., 'toutes les voitures' - all the cars). However, as mentioned, it can be a pronoun on its own or part of an expression where 'les' isn't needed.
A common mistake is forgetting to match the gender and number. English speakers might use 'tous' for feminine plural nouns because 'all' doesn't have gender in English. Remember to always check the noun's gender!
While the core meaning and grammatical rules for 'toutes' are standard across French-speaking regions, you might hear slight differences in emphasis or common phrases, just like in any language. But the fundamental usage remains consistent.
Teste dich selbst 78 Fragen
Write a sentence using 'toutes' to describe a group of female friends.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Toutes mes amies sont très gentilles. (All my friends are very nice.)
You are at a market. Write a short sentence saying you want to buy all the apples (pommes).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Je veux toutes les pommes. (I want all the apples.)
Describe a situation where you would use 'toutes' to refer to a group of objects. For example, 'all the books'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Les filles ont toutes les robes. (The girls have all the dresses.)
What does the speaker like in the garden?
Read this passage:
J'aime toutes les fleurs dans le jardin. Elles sont belles. Les roses et les marguerites sont mes favorites.
What does the speaker like in the garden?
The passage says 'J'aime toutes les fleurs', which means 'I like all the flowers'.
The passage says 'J'aime toutes les fleurs', which means 'I like all the flowers'.
What did Marie eat?
Read this passage:
Marie a mangé toutes les crêpes. Elle est très gourmande! Maintenant, il n'y a plus de crêpes.
What did Marie eat?
The sentence 'Marie a mangé toutes les crêpes' means Marie ate all the crepes.
The sentence 'Marie a mangé toutes les crêpes' means Marie ate all the crepes.
How are the female students described?
Read this passage:
Les étudiantes sont toutes intelligentes. Elles travaillent bien à l'école. Le professeur est content.
How are the female students described?
'Toutes intelligentes' translates to 'all intelligent', referring to the female students.
'Toutes intelligentes' translates to 'all intelligent', referring to the female students.
This means 'All the girls are here.' In French, 'toutes' is used for feminine plural nouns.
This translates to 'I like all the flowers.' 'Toutes' agrees with 'les fleurs' (feminine plural).
This means 'They eat all the apples.' 'Toutes' is used here because 'les pommes' is feminine plural.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: J'ai mangé ___ les frites.
Frites is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' (all/every - feminine plural) is the correct choice.
Which word correctly completes the sentence? Les filles ont regardé ___ les films.
Films is a masculine plural noun, so 'tous' (all/every - masculine plural) is the correct choice. The word 'toutes' is for feminine plural nouns.
Select the correct option: Elle a invité ___ ses amies à la fête.
Amies is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' (all/every - feminine plural) is the correct choice.
The sentence 'J'aime toutes les voitures' means 'I like all the cars.'
Voitures is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' is correctly used to mean 'all the cars'.
In the sentence 'Nous avons visité toutes les villes', 'toutes' refers to masculine plural nouns.
'Toutes' refers to feminine plural nouns. 'Villes' is a feminine plural noun.
The word 'toutes' can be used with a singular noun.
'Toutes' is used with feminine plural nouns. For singular feminine nouns, 'toute' is used.
Listen to the pronunciation of 'toutes'.
Pay attention to the liaison between 'toutes' and 'les'.
Listen for the feminine plural sound.
Read this aloud:
Toutes mes amies aiment le chocolat.
Focus: /tut/
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Read this aloud:
Elle a lu toutes les pages du livre.
Focus: liaison
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Read this aloud:
Toutes les questions sont importantes.
Focus: plural agreement
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J'ai lu ___ les pages du livre, mais je n'ai pas compris le dernier chapitre.
The noun 'pages' is feminine plural, so 'toutes' is the correct determiner.
Il faut que nous nettoyions ___ les pièces de la maison avant l'arrivée des invités.
'Pièces' is a feminine plural noun, requiring 'toutes'.
Elle a préparé ___ les décorations pour la fête seule, c'est impressionnant.
'Décorations' is feminine plural, so 'toutes' is needed.
Pour être en forme, il faut manger ___ les sortes de légumes et de fruits.
'Sortes' is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' is appropriate.
Le professeur a corrigé ___ les copies des étudiants pendant le week-end.
'Copies' is feminine plural, thus 'toutes' is the correct choice.
Nous avons visité ___ les grandes villes de France pendant nos vacances d'été.
'Villes' is a feminine plural noun, which requires 'toutes'.
Listen for 'Toutes'.
Listen for 'toutes les pommes'.
Listen for 'Toutes mes amies'.
Read this aloud:
Toutes les fenêtres étaient ouvertes.
Focus: Toutes
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Read this aloud:
J'ai lu toutes les pages de ce livre.
Focus: toutes les
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Read this aloud:
Elle a invité toutes ses cousines.
Focus: toutes ses
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This sentence means 'All the students passed their exams.' 'Toutes' refers to 'leurs examens' (their exams), which is feminine plural.
This means 'She visited all the cities in France.' 'Toutes' agrees with 'les villes' (the cities), which is feminine plural.
This translates to 'We read all the pages of the book.' 'Toutes' modifies 'les pages' (the pages), which is feminine plural.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: Les ____ maisons sont belles.
The noun 'maisons' (houses) is feminine and plural, so 'toutes' is the correct form of 'all' or 'every'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'toutes'?
'Pommes' (apples) is feminine and plural, making 'toutes' the correct choice. The other sentences have gender or number mismatches.
Select the sentence where 'toutes' is used appropriately.
'Robes' (dresses) is feminine and plural, so 'toutes' is correctly used here. In the other options, there are gender or number agreement errors.
The sentence 'Toutes mes amies viennent à la fête.' is grammatically correct.
'Amies' (friends) is feminine and plural, so 'toutes' agrees correctly.
In the phrase 'toutes les jours', 'toutes' is used correctly.
'Jours' (days) is masculine and plural, so the correct form would be 'tous les jours'.
The sentence 'J'ai fini toutes les devoirs.' is grammatically correct.
'Devoirs' (homework) is masculine and plural, so the correct form would be 'tous les devoirs'.
Listen for 'toutes les options'.
Pay attention to the pronunciation of 'toutes les sauces'.
Notice how 'toutes' modifies 'solutions'.
Read this aloud:
Toutes les questions importantes ont été abordées.
Focus: Toutes les questions
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Read this aloud:
Nous avons considéré toutes les éventualités possibles.
Focus: toutes les éventualités
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Read this aloud:
Malgré les difficultés, toutes les équipes ont persévéré.
Focus: toutes les équipes
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Which of the following sentences correctly uses 'toutes'?
'Toutes' is feminine plural, so it must agree with a feminine plural noun like 'fleurs'. 'Garçons' is masculine, 'livre' is singular, and 'maisons' is plural but the verb 'est' is singular.
Choose the best translation for: 'She answered all the questions.'
The verb 'répondre' takes the preposition 'à'. 'Questions' is feminine plural, requiring 'toutes'.
Complete the sentence: 'Malgré les difficultés, ___ les équipes ont persévéré.'
'Équipes' is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' is the correct determiner to agree with it.
In the sentence 'Toutes les décisions ont été prises à l'unanimité', 'toutes' refers to a masculine plural noun.
'Décisions' is a feminine plural noun, making the use of 'toutes' correct.
The sentence 'J'ai lu toutes les articles importants' is grammatically correct.
'Articles' is a masculine plural noun, so it should be 'tous les articles'.
If you are referring to a group of mixed gender individuals, and you want to say 'all of them', you should use 'toutes'.
For a mixed group, even if there's only one male, the masculine plural 'tous' is used.
This sentence means: 'All decisions made affect all stakeholders.' It demonstrates the use of 'toutes' as a determiner before a feminine plural noun.
This sentence means: 'Despite the difficulties, all solutions were considered.' 'Toutes' modifies 'les solutions' (feminine plural).
This sentence means: 'She took all necessary precautions before leaving.' 'Toutes' agrees with 'les précautions' (feminine plural).
Choose the correct translation for 'All the nuances of her voice are captivating.'
'Nuances' is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' (feminine plural) is required. 'Sa voix' is correct for 'her voice'. 'Sont captivantes' agrees with the plural subject.
Which sentence correctly uses 'toutes' to mean 'every' in a complex sentence?
'Implications' is a feminine plural noun, thus 'toutes' is correct. 'De sa décision' is appropriate. 'Subtiles' is feminine plural, agreeing with 'implications'.
Select the sentence where 'toutes' is used appropriately in a literary context.
'Facettes' is a feminine plural noun, requiring 'toutes'. 'Sa peine profonde' correctly translates 'her deep sorrow'.
The sentence 'Toutes les mesures ont été prises pour garantir la sécurité.' correctly uses 'toutes' because 'mesures' is feminine plural.
'Mesures' (measures) is a feminine plural noun, so 'toutes' (all/every, feminine plural) is the correct determiner.
In the phrase 'Toutes les théories complexes', 'toutes' is correctly used as 'théories' is feminine plural.
'Théories' (theories) is a feminine plural noun, making 'toutes' the appropriate form for 'all/every'.
The sentence 'Toutes les informations pertinentes ont été soigneusement analysées.' is grammatically incorrect because 'informations' is a masculine noun.
'Informations' (information) is a feminine plural noun in French, so 'toutes' is correctly used.
Focus on 'toutes les difficultés'
Listen for 'toutes les parties prenantes'
Pay attention to 'toutes les sphères'
Read this aloud:
La réussite de ce projet dépendra de toutes les petites améliorations que nous apporterons.
Focus: toutes les
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Read this aloud:
Elle a pris en considération toutes les éventualités avant de prendre une décision aussi cruciale.
Focus: toutes les éventualités
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Read this aloud:
Nous avons examiné toutes les facettes du problème pour en comprendre la complexité.
Focus: toutes les facettes
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/ 78 correct
Perfect score!
Beispiel
J'ai lu toutes les pages du livre.
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr general Wörter
à cause de
A2Because of; on account of (a neutral or negative cause).
à côté
A2Next to; beside.
à côté de
A2Next to, beside.
À droite
A2To the right; on the right side.
À gauche
A2To the left; on the left side.
à la
A2To the (feminine singular), indicates direction or location.
à laquelle
B2To which; at which (feminine singular).
à mesure que
B2As; while; in proportion as.
abrégé
B1An abstract, summary, or abridgment.
absence
A2The state of being away from a place or person.
