Today’s Spanish word of the day is “tal”.
It can be used as an adjective or pronoun, and usually translates as “such”, though it can also mean “that kind of”, “so” or “a certain”.
It’s usually used to say that something is a particular kind of thing, for example:
- No haría tal cosa. – I wouldn’t do such a thing.
- Tal persona podría ser útil para el negocio. – Such a person could be useful to the business.
You’ll also hear the word “tal” in a few common expressions, including the following:
- Tal vez. – Maybe / Perhaps.
- ¿Qué tal? – How is it going? / What’s up?
- Tal para cual. – Made for each other. / Tit for tat.
- Tal como eres. – Just as you are.
- En tal caso. – In that case.
- De tal palo, tal astilla – Literally “from such a stick, such a splinter”. This is a metaphorical idiom used to mean “like father, like son”.
- Con tal de… – In order to…
The Spanish word “tal” comes from Latin talis, meaning “such”, “suchlike” or “of such a kind”. The English word “retaliation” comes from the same root, which makes sense since the word “retaliation” refers to reacting like for like.
Example sentences
Tal vez tengas razón.
Maybe you’re right.
No haría tal cosa sin pensarlo.
I wouldn’t do such a thing without thinking it through.
Tal como eres, ya eres suficiente.
Just as you are, you are already enough.
Un tal Pablo llamó preguntando por ti.
A certain Pablo called asking for you.
Con tal de conseguir sus objetivos, haría cualquier cosa.
In order to achieve his goals, he would do anything.
