The English word “such” can express similarity, degree, or type, and it appears in several common structures: such a person, such times, such an interesting idea, I’ve never seen such beauty, at such a price, etc. In French, no single word covers all these uses. The most frequent equivalents are tel / telle / tels / telles, un(e) tel(le), un(e) aussi + adjective + nom, and idiomatic expressions such as pareil, semblable, or ce genre de.

1. “Such a” before a noun

When “such a” qualifies a noun, the usual translation is un(e) tel(le) + nom.

• Such a person is rare. → Une telle personne est rare.
• Such an idea is ridiculous. → Une telle idée est ridicule.
• Such a mistake could be costly. → Une telle erreur pourrait être coûteuse.
• Such times were difficult. → De telles époques étaient difficiles.

Agreement follows the gender and number of the noun (tel/telle/tels/telles).

If “such a” is followed by an adjective + noun, it can also be rendered by un(e) aussi + adjective + nom, often when expressing admiration or degree:

• Such an interesting idea! → Une idée aussi intéressante !
• Such a beautiful day! → Une journée aussi belle !
  This structure is more emotional or exclamatory.

2. “Such” before a plural noun

Plural nouns take de tels / de telles:

• Such people exist. → De telles personnes existent.
• I have never seen such things. → Je n’ai jamais vu de telles choses.
• Such events happen rarely. → De tels événements arrivent rarement.

3. “Such” referring to degree or intensity

When “such” intensifies a quality, French often uses si, aussi, or un(e) si / aussi + adjective + nom:

• I’ve never seen such beauty. → Je n’ai jamais vu une si grande beauté.
• It’s such a shame. → C’est tellement dommage. or C’est une telle honte.
• He spoke with such enthusiasm. → Il a parlé avec un tel enthousiasme.

If the noun is omitted, si or tellement is used with adjectives or adverbs:

• I didn’t expect such good news. → Je ne m’attendais pas à une si bonne nouvelle.
• I’ve never been so happy. → Je n’ai jamais été si heureux.

4. “Such” meaning “like that” or “of that kind”

When “such” means “of that kind,” “that sort,” or “like that,” French uses tel, pareil, semblable, de ce genre, or comme ça:

• I don’t like such behaviour. → Je n’aime pas un tel comportement. or Je n’aime pas ce genre de comportement.
• We’ve never seen such a thing. → Nous n’avons jamais vu une chose pareille.
• Such stories make me laugh. → Des histoires pareilles me font rire.
• Such men are dangerous. → Des hommes de ce genre sont dangereux.

Tel and pareil are both common, but pareil often sounds slightly more informal.

5. “At such a time,” “on such a day,” “in such conditions”

In fixed expressions referring to time, circumstance, or condition, tel and pareil are both used. Tel is more formal or written; pareil more conversational.

• At such a time, he was abroad. → À une telle époque, il était à l’étranger.
• Under such conditions, we cannot work. → Dans de telles conditions, nous ne pouvons pas travailler.
• I’ve never been in such a situation. → Je n’ai jamais été dans une pareille situation.

6. “Such” in comparisons or generalisations

When “such” refers to type or category, expressions like ce genre de, un tel type de, or des choses semblables are common:

• Such acts are unforgivable. → De tels actes sont impardonnables. or Ce genre d’actes est impardonnable.
• Such questions are difficult to answer. → Des questions semblables sont difficiles à résoudre.

7. “Such as” meaning “for example”

When “such as” introduces examples, the correct equivalent is comme or tel que / tels que:

• Animals such as cats and dogs → Des animaux tels que les chats et les chiens
• Words such as “however” and “therefore” → Des mots comme “cependant” et “donc”

If it refers to a single example, comme is preferred. Tel que sounds slightly more formal or written.

8. “Such” used exclamatorily

Exclamations often drop the article:

• Such beauty! → Quelle beauté !
• Such courage! → Quel courage !
  This structure (quel / quelle / quels / quelles + nom) is the idiomatic French equivalent for many English exclamations beginning with “such.”

9. Notes on register

• Tel / telle / tels / telles is neutral to formal and suits both writing and speech.
• Pareil / pareille is more familiar or colloquial.
• Ce genre de is common in everyday French when referring to categories or types.
• Un(e) aussi + adjective + nom is used mainly in expressive contexts.

Summary

• “Such a + noun” → un(e) tel(le) + nom
• “Such + plural noun” → de tels / de telles + nom
• “Such + adjective + noun” (emphatic) → un(e) si / aussi + adjective + nom
• “Such” meaning “of that kind” → pareil, semblable, ce genre de
• “Such as” (for example) → comme, tel que / tels que
• “Such + noun!” (exclamation) → quel / quelle / quels / quelles + nom