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Agreeable French Expression
| Meaning | absolutely, exactly, totally | |
| Register | normal, informal | |
| Pronunciation |  |
[too tah feh] |
| IPA | [tu ta fɛ] | |
Usage notes: The French expression tout à fait is used to emphatically and enthusiastically agree with a statement.
It’s also used, informally, when a simple oui would suffice – this usage is criticized.
Par exemple…
| – C’est une belle peinture. – Oui, tout à fait ! |
– It’s a beautiful painting. – Yes, definitely! |
|
| – Il a pris une bonne décision. – Tout à fait ! |
– He made a good decision. – Absolutely! |
Synonyms
- absolument – absolutely
- bien sûr – of course
- certainement – certainly
- en effet – indeed
- exactement – exactly
- je suis d’accord – I agree
- oui – yes
- voilà – that’s right, exactly
Tout à fait can also be used as an intensifier.
Par exemple…
| Elle est tout à fait charmante. | It’s altogether charming. | |
| Tu as tout à fait raison. | You’re absolutely right. |
Synonyms
- complètement – completely
- totalement – totally
- vraiment – really
informal - carrément – definitely
- drôlement – really, awfully
- rudement – awfully, terribly
- sacrément – really, damned
- vachement – really
Pas tout à fait
Pas tout à fait means “not exactly” or “not quite”:
Par exemple…
| – Tout le monde est prêt ? – Pas tout à fait. |
– Everyone ready? – Not quite. |
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| Cela n’est pas tout à fait ce à quoi je m’attendais. | That’s not exactly what I was expecting. |
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