tel que

Such as with Tel Que

Level 5

Tel que is a formal way to say 'such as' or 'like'. Unlike the English 'such as', the word tel is an adjective and must change its form to match the gender and number of the noun it describes.

How It Works

1. Exemplification (Such as)
The most common use of tel que is to introduce examples. It must agree in gender and number with the preceding noun (the category). For example: des fruits (m. pl.) tels que l'orange.

2. Comparison (Like/As)
In formal contexts, it functions like a comparative comme to show similarity. It never expresses cause (unlike the causal comme). Example: Elle est telle que je l'imaginais. (She is just as I imagined her.)

3. The Agreement Split
When using tel que, agreement is with the noun before it. However, in a more literary style, tel can be used without que; in this case, it agrees with the noun that follows it. Example: Des fruits, telle l'orange... (Fruits, like the orange...).

4. Intensity and Consequence
When tel is separated from que (e.g., un tel bruit que...), it functions as an intensifier meaning "such a" or "so much... that." In this structure, tel acts as an adjective modifying the noun.

5. Fixed Idioms and Participles
In formal writing, tel que often precedes a past participle (e.g., tel que prévu - as planned). Additionally, the phrase rien de tel que (nothing like...) is an invariable idiom that always remains masculine singular.

6. Register Note
While tel que is common in writing, everyday spoken French usually prefers comme for both examples and comparisons.

Examples (6)

  1. Il a visité des pays tels que le Japon et la Corée.

    He visited countries such as Japan and Korea.

    Word by Word: He has visited some countries such as the Japan and the Korea.

    Here, 'tels' is masculine plural because it agrees with the preceding noun 'pays' (countries).

  2. Elle a des qualités telles que la patience et la gentillesse.

    She has qualities such as patience and kindness.

    Word by Word: She has some qualities such as the patience and the kindness.

    'Telles' is feminine plural to match the preceding noun 'qualités'.

  3. La réunion s'est déroulée telle que prévue.

    The meeting took place as planned.

    Word by Word: The meeting itself is unfolded such as planned.

    In formal French, 'tel que' can precede a past participle. Here, 'telle' agrees with the subject 'la réunion'.

  4. Il n'y a rien de tel qu'un bon café le matin.

    There is nothing like a good coffee in the morning.

    Word by Word: It not there has nothing of such as a good coffee the morning.

    The idiom 'rien de tel que' is always masculine singular, regardless of what follows.

  5. Des fruits, telle l'orange, sont riches en vitamines.

    Fruits, like the orange, are rich in vitamins.

    Word by Word: Some fruits, such the orange, are rich in vitamins.

    When 'tel' is used without 'que' in a literary style, it agrees with the noun that follows it ('l'orange').

  6. Il y avait un tel bruit que je n'ai pas pu dormir.

    There was such a noise that I couldn't sleep.

    Word by Word: It there had a such noise that I not have not could sleep.

    When 'tel' and 'que' are separated, they express intensity and consequence (so much... that).

Common Mistakes

  • Agreeing with the following example instead of the preceding noun.

    Des domaines telles que la chimie.
    Des domaines tels que la chimie.

    Learners often see 'la chimie' (feminine) and want to make 'tel' feminine. However, it must agree with 'domaines' (masculine plural), which is the noun being illustrated.

  • Using 'tel que' as an invariable phrase.

    Des villes tel que Lyon.
    Des villes telles que Lyon.

    Unlike 'comme', 'tel que' is not invariable. You must always check the gender and number of the noun it refers to.

  • Using 'tel que convenu' in formal writing.

    Tel que convenu, je vous envoie le contrat.
    Comme convenu, je vous envoie le contrat.

    In the phrase 'As agreed', 'tel' has no noun to refer to. Standard French prefers 'Comme convenu'.

How It Connects

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tel queLevel 5Such as with Tel Que

Learn This First

To use 'tel que' correctly, a learner must understand that 'tel' is an adjective-like word that requires agreement in gender and number with the noun it refers to. This requires a foundational knowledge of the French two-gender system and basic pluralization rules.

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tel quetel