How to Use the French Word Du Tout

The French word "du tout," which is pronounced, "du too," means "(not) at all." It has a normal register.

Usage

Read More

Learn to Use the French Word 'Tout' and Its Variations

By ThoughtCo Team

The French expression du tout emphasizes a negative word, most commonly the negative adverb pas. When used with pas, du tout can be placed either right after it or else at the end of the sentence; the latter is a bit more forceful.

• Je n'aime pas du tout courir. / Je n'aime pas courir du tout.
  I don't like running at all.
• Il n'a pas du tout changé. / Il n'a pas changé du tout.
  He hasn't changed at all.
• Elle n'a pas du tout d'idées. / Elle n'a pas d'idées du tout.
  She doesn't have any ideas at all.

In response to a question, du tout can be used on its own or with pas to mean "not/none at all."

• Veux-tu aller au ciné ? -Du tout. / Pas du tout.
  Do you want to go to the movies? -Not at all.
• Tu n'as pas d'argent ? -Du tout. / Pas du tout.
  You don't have any money? -None at all.

Du tout can also be used with other negative words:

• Il n'a rien fait du tout ce matin.
  He did nothing at all / He did absolutely nothing this morning.
• Personne du tout n'était à la plage.
  There was no one at all / There was absolutely no one at the beach.
•  Il n'y a plus du tout de café.
  There's no coffee left at all.
• Elle est partie sans pleurer du tout.
  She left without crying at all.