What does tal in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word tal in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use tal in Spanish.

The word tal in Spanish means such, someone called, a certain, such, so, that, How's everything going?, How is everything?, How's it going?, to that effect, to that end, to such a degree of, to such a high degree of, given the circumstances, given this outlook, just like that, as if nothing had happened, in order to, to, in order not to, as long as, so [+verb in negative], so that [+verb in negative], so long as, as long as, provided that, by just, with just, with a mere, so that, so that, so that, so that, so that, like father like son, chip off the old block, so that, so and so, be just as bad, as long as, provided, for this reason, how is, how was, how are you?, how about [+gerund]?, just as, just the way you are, exactly as you heard it, just as, just like, in the same condition, such is the case that, such is the case with, this is true of, two peas in a pod, two of a kind, it seems like, it looks like, maybe, perhaps, just as, maybe. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word tal

such

adjetivo de una sola terminación (con esas características) (the same or similar)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

¿Cómo te atreves a decir tales cosas de tu madre? Tales observaciones resultan muy útiles.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. There's no such thing as a haunted house.

someone called

adjetivo de una sola terminación (alguien llamado así)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Un tal Ramón vino a buscarte. Me contestó una tan Julia.

Someone called Ramón came looking for you.

a certain

adjetivo de una sola terminación (expresa indeterminación)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Supongamos que te ganas tal cantidad de dinero. ¿Me darías la mitad?

Let's say you won a certain amount of money. Would you give me half?

such, so

pronombre (formal (lo mencionado)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

El rico país dejó de ser tal en menos de una década.

The rich country stopped being so in less than a decade.

that

locución adjetiva (coloquial, desaprobación (mencionado previamente)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

—¿Por qué hablan mal de Javier? —Porque el tal Javier es un bueno para nada. El tal Juan se cree muy listo.

Why do people speak bad of Javier? Because that Javier is a good for nothing.

How's everything going?, How is everything?

expresión (coloquial (saludo extendido) (greeting)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¿Qué tal todo? ¿Bien?

How's everything going? All right?

How's it going?

expresión (coloquial (saludo) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¿Qué tal? ¿Cómo estás?

How's it going? How are you?

to that effect

locución adverbial (formal (para ello)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Alguien debe encargarse de estos reportes, así que contrataremos a una persona a tal efecto.

Someone should be in charge of these reports, so we will hire a person to that effect.

to that end

locución adverbial (con esa intención)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Si quieres ganar la carrera, tendrás que prepararte durante meses a tal fin.

If you want to win the race, you'll have to train for months to that end.

to such a degree of, to such a high degree of

expresión (a tal nivel)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

given the circumstances, given this outlook

expresión (en semejante situación)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

No había otra opción ante tal panorama.

There was no other option given the circumstances.

just like that, as if nothing had happened

locución adverbial (impasible, indiferente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

in order to, to

locución conjuntiva (indica finalidad)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Sería capaz de atravesar el océano nadando con tal de volver a verte. Con tal de no ponerse al teléfono conmigo, Miguel es capaz de inventarse cosas rarísimas.

I'd swim across the ocean to see you again. In order to not talk to me on the phone, Miguel is willing to make up crazy things.

in order not to

(negativa a hacer o decir algo)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Con tal de no ponerse al teléfono conmigo es capaz de inventarse cosas rarísimas.

In order not to talk on the phone with me he's capable of making up some very strange things.

as long as

locución conjuntiva (siempre y cuando)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Te perdonaré con tal de que no vuelvas a hacerlo.

I'll let you off, as long as you don't do it again.

so [+verb in negative], so that [+verb in negative]

locución conjuntiva (para que no suceda algo)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Mi vecina es una mujer muy superficial y es capaz de llegar a extremos con tal de que no piensen mal de ella.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. We work hard so (or: so that) our daughter doesn't want for anything.

so long as, as long as, provided that

locución conjuntiva (siempre que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Te perdonaré con tal que no vuelvas a hacerlo.

I will forgive you so long as you don't do it again.

by just, with just, with a mere

expresión (tan solo basta)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Con tan solo escucharlo unos minutos, uno se da cuenta de lo que piensa.

You can figure out what he thinks by just listening to him for a few minutes.

so that

locución conjuntiva (enfático (expresa consecuencia)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Decidimos quedarnos una noche más; de manera tal, podríamos ver los desfiles.

so that

locución conjuntiva (de forma que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Ahorra dinero de manera tal que puedas pagar tus deudas.

Save money so that you can pay your debts.

so that

locución conjuntiva (así pues)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Nunca contestó sus cartas, de manera tal que pensó que la había olvidado.

She never responded to his letters, so that he thought that she had forgotten about him.

so that

expresión (de modo que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Haremos turnos de tal forma que todos puedan descansar.

We will take turns so that everyone can rest.

so that

locución conjuntiva (de modo que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Tienes que atar las cajas de tal manera que no se caigan.

You have to tie the boxes together so that they don't fall.

like father like son

expresión (la genética influye)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Martín piensa seguir la tradición familiar y estudiar medicina; de tal padre, tal hijo.

Martin plans to follow the family tradition and study medicine: like father like son.

chip off the old block

expresión (coloquial (el hijo es como sus padres) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Al igual que su padre, Camilo odia la playa: de tal palo, tal astilla.

Just like his father, Camilo hates the beach. He's a chip off the old block.

so that

locución conjuntiva (de forma que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

so and so

locución nominal con flexión de género (nombre genérico)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Este es el formulario. En la primera línea va el nombre completo: Fulano de tal, no el primer nombre solo.

You have to write your full name in the first line of the form; so and so, not just your first name.

be just as bad

expresión (coloquial (en condición similar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Luis será hipócrita, pero Juan es otro que tal baila.

as long as, provided

locución adverbial (siempre que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Iré a tu casa con tal de que me cuentes lo que pasó ayer.

I'll go to your house as long as you tell me what happened yesterday.

for this reason

locución adverbial (por dicha razón)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por tal motivo, decidimos irnos temprano.

Therefore, we decided to go early.

how is, how was

locución adverbial (informal (cómo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¿Qué tal estuvo la fiesta?

How was the party?

how are you?

expresión (informal (saludo: ¿cómo estás?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Hola, ¿qué tal? ¿Cómo está tu familia?

Hi, how are you? How's your family?

how about [+gerund]?

expresión (proponer algo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Qué tal si vamos al cine.

What if we go to the movies?

just as

locución conjuntiva (de la misma manera)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Como mi propuesta era tan excéntrica, todos reaccionaron tal como me lo esperaba. Quiero que me devuelvas el libro tal como te lo di.

As my proposal was so eccentric, everyone reacted just as I had expected.

just the way you are

expresión (sin cambiar nada)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Te quiero tal como eres y no te quiero cambiar.

I love you just the way you are and I do not want to change you.

exactly as you heard it

expresión (así es, créelo o no)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

just as, just like

locución conjuntiva (como)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

La secretaria preparó todo para la reunión tal cual se lo ordenó su jefe.

The secretary prepared everything for the meeting, just as her boss had told her to.

in the same condition

locución adverbial (en el mismo estado)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Te presto mi auto pero tienes que devolvérmelo tal cual: en perfecto estado.

I'll lend you my car, but you have to return it to me in the same condition it is now.

such is the case that

locución conjuntiva (coloquial (para argumentar)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

such is the case with, this is true of

locución conjuntiva (esto sucede con)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Algunas personas deben abandonar su país de origen en busca de mejores oportunidades. Tal es el caso de los miles de extranjeros que han llegado a nuestra ciudad.

two peas in a pod, two of a kind

locución adjetiva (coloquial (parecidos)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Ana y Juan son tal para cual; los dos son igual de despistados.

Ana and Juan are two of a kind; they're both scatterbrained.

it seems like, it looks like

locución conjuntiva (por lo que se ve)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Recuerdo muy bien aquel día, tal parece que fue ayer.

maybe, perhaps

locución adverbial (quizá, puede ser)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Tal vez llueva; está muy nublado.

Maybe (or: perhaps) it will rain. It's very cloudy.

just as

locución conjuntiva (exactamente como)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

El testigo narró los hechos tal y como sucedieron.

The witness described the events just as they happened.

maybe

adverbio (AmL (quizá, puede ser)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Talvez Luis está enfadado contigo y por eso no contesta el teléfono.

Let's learn Spanish

So now that you know more about the meaning of tal in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

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