When something is sold or accepted 'tel quel', it means it's taken in its current state, with all its existing conditions or flaws, and no changes will be made to it.
You might encounter this phrase in various contexts, like buying a used car or accepting a document without revisions. It emphasizes a no-returns, no-alterations policy.
For instance, if you buy furniture 'tel quel', you understand that any dents or scratches present at the time of purchase are your responsibility.
This expression is quite common in both formal and informal French, and understanding it can prevent misunderstandings in transactions or agreements.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
Alright, let's talk about tel quel. This is a super handy French expression that means 'as is' or 'without modification'. You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversation, and it's particularly useful when you want to emphasize that something is being accepted, used, or sold in its current state, without any changes or repairs.
Think of it this way: if you buy a used car and the seller says you're getting it 'tel quel', it means you're buying it with all its existing dents, scratches, and maybe even that weird smell in the back seat. No fixing, no cleaning, just what you see is what you get.
It's not just for buying and selling, though. You can use 'tel quel' in many situations:
- When you're talking about accepting a situation as it is, even if it's not perfect.
- When you want to deliver information exactly as you received it, without interpretation.
- When something is presented without any alterations.
It carries a sense of finality and a lack of desire (or ability) to change something. It's often used to avoid responsibility for defects or to simply state a fact about the current condition of something.
- DEFINITION
- As is, without modification.
Here are a few examples to help you grasp it:
Nous vendons la maison tel quel.
(We are selling the house as is.)
J'ai dû accepter la situation tel quel.
(I had to accept the situation as it was.)
Le document a été publié tel quel, sans aucune révision.
(The document was published as is, without any revision.)
So, in short, if you want to convey that something is in its original, unchanged condition, 'tel quel' is your go-to phrase. It's direct, clear, and leaves no room for ambiguity. Master this, and you'll sound much more like a native speaker when discussing conditions and states of being.
Exemplos por nível
J'ai acheté la voiture tel quel.
I bought the car as is.
Nous vendons les meubles tel quel.
We sell the furniture as is.
Le document est tel quel.
The document is as is.
Ils ont laissé la chambre tel quel.
They left the room as is.
Tu dois prendre le gâteau tel quel.
You must take the cake as is.
J'accepte la situation tel quel.
I accept the situation as is.
Le rapport est tel quel.
The report is as is.
Elle a gardé la robe tel quel.
She kept the dress as is.
J'ai acheté cette table tel quel, elle a quelques éraflures.
I bought this table as is, it has some scratches.
Le document sera accepté tel quel, il n'y a pas de temps pour les révisions.
The document will be accepted as is, there's no time for revisions.
Nous devons prendre la situation tel quel et trouver une solution.
We must take the situation as it is and find a solution.
Elle a vendu la voiture tel quel, sans aucune réparation.
She sold the car as is, without any repairs.
Le contrat a été signé tel quel, sans modification des clauses.
The contract was signed as is, without modification of the clauses.
Il préfère ses légumes tel quel, sans assaisonnement supplémentaire.
He prefers his vegetables as is, without additional seasoning.
La maison a été achetée tel quel, nécessitant des rénovations.
The house was bought as is, requiring renovations.
Le message a été transmis tel quel, sans aucune interprétation.
The message was transmitted as is, without any interpretation.
Como usar
When you buy something 'tel quel', it means you're buying it in its current condition, with all its existing flaws or characteristics, and you're not expecting any changes or repairs from the seller. It's often used in the context of sales, especially for used items or property.
Example: J'ai acheté la voiture tel quel, sans garantie. (I bought the car as is, without a warranty.)
You can also use 'tel quel' to describe accepting a situation without trying to change it.
Example: Nous devons accepter la situation tel quel. (We must accept the situation as is.)
A common mistake is to try and make 'tel quel' agree in gender or number with the noun it refers to. 'Tel quel' is an adverbial phrase and remains invariable.
Incorrect: Les maisons ont été vendues telles quelles.
Correct: Les maisons ont été vendues tel quel. (The houses were sold as is.)
Another mistake is confusing it with 'tel que' (such as, as), which introduces an example or a comparison. While they share a similar root, their meanings and usages are distinct.
Example with 'tel que': Il a décrit la scène tel qu'il l'avait vue. (He described the scene as he had seen it.)
Teste-se 30 perguntas
Order the words to form a correct sentence: 'She leaves the apple as is.'
Order the words to form a correct sentence: 'He buys the book as is.'
Order the words to form a correct sentence: 'We take the coffee as is.'
This sentence means 'I have the book as is.' 'Tel quel' follows the noun it modifies.
This sentence means 'She bought the car as is.' 'Tel quel' indicates no changes were made to the car.
This sentence means 'We accepted the contract as is.' 'Tel quel' here implies acceptance without negotiation.
We bought the furniture as is, without any repairs.
The document was signed as is, without any last-minute modifications.
I preferred to leave the wall painting as is to preserve its original appearance.
Read this aloud:
Vous devez accepter les conditions du contrat tel quel.
Focus: tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Le produit est vendu tel quel, sans garantie.
Focus: vendu tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Elle a pris la décision tel quel, sans hésitation.
Focus: décision tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
He made the decision as is, without consulting anyone.
We bought the furniture as is, it was already assembled.
The report was submitted as is, with all its errors.
Read this aloud:
J'ai dû accepter la situation tel quel, sans rien pouvoir changer.
Focus: tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Le contrat a été signé tel quel, sans aucune modification de dernière minute.
Focus: tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Elle a présenté son projet tel quel, convaincue de sa perfection.
Focus: tel quel
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
'Tel quel' acts as an adverb here, modifying 'acheté' (bought), indicating the condition in which the car was purchased. It stays invariable.
Here, 'tel quel' modifies 'livré' (delivered), emphasizing that the goods were delivered in their existing state. It remains invariable.
'Tel quel' modifies the verb 'accepté' (accepted), meaning the proposition was accepted in its original form. It is invariable as an adverb.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
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