In 15 Seconds
- Used to mean 'also such' or 'likewise like that'.
- Requires agreement in gender and number (tel, telle, tels, telles).
- Links two things sharing the same specific quality.
Meaning
This phrase is used to say that something is 'also such' or 'likewise like that,' highlighting that it shares a specific quality with something else you've already mentioned.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a friend's personality
Il est aussi tel que son père.
He is also such as his father.
Talking about a beautiful house
La vue est aussi telle que je l'imaginais.
The view is also such as I imagined it.
In a formal report about a project
Le résultat est aussi tel que prévu dans le contrat.
The result is also such as foreseen in the contract.
Cultural Background
The French education system (l'Éducation Nationale) emphasizes 'la richesse du vocabulaire.' Using 'aussi tel' is a sign that a student has moved beyond basic repetition. In Quebec, 'aussi tel' is used in formal administrative contexts, but in spoken 'joual' (informal Quebec French), it is almost non-existent, replaced by 'c'est de même.' Belgian French follows the same formal rules, but you might hear 'pareillement' more frequently in professional settings. In formal Francophone African contexts, high-register French is often preserved with great care. 'Aussi tel' appears in official speeches and academic discourse.
The Agreement Trick
Always look at the noun *before* the verb 'être' to decide if it's tel, telle, tels, or telles.
Don't Overuse
If you use 'aussi tel' in every sentence, you will sound like a legal contract. Mix it up with 'pareil' or 'aussi'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to mean 'also such' or 'likewise like that'.
- Requires agreement in gender and number (tel, telle, tels, telles).
- Links two things sharing the same specific quality.
What It Means
Imagine you are describing a beautiful sunset. Then, the next day, you see another one that is just as stunning. You might say it is aussi tel—meaning it is "also such" a sight. It is a way to link two things by a shared character or quality. It’s like saying "likewise like that" but with a bit more French elegance. You are basically telling your friend, "Hey, this thing is just like that other thing we talked about!"
How To Use It
Using this phrase requires a little bit of grammar gymnastics. The word tel is a chameleon. It has to match the gender and number of the thing you are talking about. If you are talking about a car (feminine), it becomes telle. If it's a group of books (masculine plural), it becomes tels. You usually place aussi first to mean "also," followed by your chosen version of tel. It often pops up after a verb like être (to be) to describe a situation or a person.
When To Use It
This is your go-to when you want to draw a parallel. Use it when you are storytelling or describing people. If you are at a cafe and the coffee is "also such" a delight as the one you had in Paris, that’s a perfect moment. It’s great for emphasizing that a specific vibe or quality is being repeated. It makes your French sound more descriptive and connected rather than just listing facts.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for simple addition. If you just want to say "I like apples and also oranges," just use aussi by itself. Aussi tel is specifically for when you are comparing the *nature* or *quality* of things. Also, avoid it in very fast, slangy conversations where people tend to use shorter words like pareil (the same). It can feel a bit heavy if you use it every five seconds!
Cultural Background
The French language loves to categorize and compare. The word tel comes from the Latin talis, which was used to point out specific types of things. Using aussi tel shows a certain level of observation. It’s a classic way to express that life is repeating itself in a specific way. It’s not just "the same"; it’s "of such a kind."
Common Variations
You will frequently run into its cousins. Tel quel means "as is" (like buying a vintage shirt with a tiny hole). Un tel or Une telle is used when you can't remember someone's name, like saying "Mr. So-and-So." Then there is the classic aussi... que, which is the standard way to say "as... as." Mastering these variations will make you sound like a local in no time!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral but requires strict grammatical agreement with the noun it modifies. In casual speech, it is often replaced by simpler comparative structures.
The Agreement Trick
Always look at the noun *before* the verb 'être' to decide if it's tel, telle, tels, or telles.
Don't Overuse
If you use 'aussi tel' in every sentence, you will sound like a legal contract. Mix it up with 'pareil' or 'aussi'.
Writing Essays
Use 'aussi tel' in your conclusion to refer back to a main theme you've already described.
Social Cues
Using this phrase correctly in a French office will immediately signal that you have a high level of education.
Examples
6Il est aussi tel que son père.
He is also such as his father.
Here, 'tel' compares the son's character to the father's.
La vue est aussi telle que je l'imaginais.
The view is also such as I imagined it.
Notice 'telle' is feminine to match 'la vue'.
Le résultat est aussi tel que prévu dans le contrat.
The result is also such as foreseen in the contract.
Used here to confirm that expectations were met.
Le film était nul, aussi tel que les critiques le disaient.
The movie was bad, also just as the critics said.
A bit more informal, confirming a negative expectation.
Il est tombé ? C'est aussi tel de sa part !
He fell? That is also so like him!
Using 'tel' to describe a typical behavior.
Elle est aussi telle que son grand-père, pleine de bonté.
She is also such as her grandfather, full of kindness.
Linking a child's virtue to an ancestor.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of 'tel' to complete the sentence.
La robe est rouge, et la chemise est aussi ______.
'Chemise' is feminine singular, so we use 'telle'.
Fill in the blank with 'aussi' and the correct form of 'tel'.
Les garçons sont sportifs, les filles sont ______ ______.
'Filles' is feminine plural, so 'aussi telles' is required.
Match the sentence to the correct register.
1. C'est pareil. 2. C'est aussi tel.
'Aussi tel' is formal; 'pareil' is informal.
Complete the formal dialogue.
Avocat: 'Ce document est authentique.' Juge: 'Le sceau est ______ ______.'
'Le sceau' is masculine singular.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Agreement of 'Tel'
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLa robe est rouge, et la chemise est aussi ______.
'Chemise' is feminine singular, so we use 'telle'.
Les garçons sont sportifs, les filles sont ______ ______.
'Filles' is feminine plural, so 'aussi telles' is required.
1. C'est pareil. 2. C'est aussi tel.
'Aussi tel' is formal; 'pareil' is informal.
Avocat: 'Ce document est authentique.' Juge: 'Le sceau est ______ ______.'
'Le sceau' is masculine singular.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is quite formal. In daily life, people say 'c'est pareil' or 'c'est aussi comme ça.'
Yes, when it's used as an adjective like this, it must agree: tel (m), telle (f), tels (m.pl), telles (f.pl).
It's better to say 'aussi [adjective] que' or just 'comme.' 'Aussi tel que' is very rare and usually sounds incorrect.
'Aussi tel' means 'also such' (comparing), while 'un tel' means 'such a' or 'so-and-so' (identifying).
Rarely. It almost always follows a statement of quality: 'X is [Adjective], Y is aussi tel.'
Only in very poetic or old-fashioned songs. Modern pop music would use 'pareil.'
Yes, 'likewise' is a good English equivalent, though 'likewise' is an adverb and 'tel' is an adjective.
Yes, but it's very formal. 'Il est courageux, son fils est aussi tel.'
The components are A1, but the usage is more A2/B1. However, learning it early helps you understand formal French.
In French, you must know the gender! If you're unsure, 'c'est pareil' is a safer, gender-neutral choice.
Related Phrases
un tel
similarsuch a / so-and-so
tel quel
similaras is
de même
synonymlikewise
pareil
similarsame / similar
ainsi
builds onthus / in this way
