French Phrase
Tous les liquides doivent être de 100 ml ou moins.
Meaning
This phrase is a common instruction, particularly in travel contexts. It means that any liquid items you are carrying must not exceed a volume of 100 milliliters. It's a rule often encountered at airport security checkpoints.
When to use
You will most frequently hear or see this phrase when traveling by air, specifically at airport security. It's a standard regulation for carry-on luggage to ensure safety. It can also be used in other contexts where liquid volume restrictions apply.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tous lesliquidesdoivent êtrede100 mlou moins
Tous les (All the)
'Tous les' is used to mean 'all the' for masculine plural nouns. For feminine plural, it would be 'toutes les'. It indicates totality.
Doivent être (Must be)
'Doivent être' is the third-person plural conjugation of 'devoir' (to have to, must) followed by the infinitive 'être' (to be). It expresses obligation or necessity.
De (Of)
In this context, 'de' is used to introduce a quantity or limit, similar to 'of' or 'up to' in English. It specifies the maximum volume allowed.
Ou moins (Or less)
'Ou moins' is a common phrase used to indicate that the specified quantity is an upper limit, meaning the item can be that amount or any amount below it.
🗨In Conversation
N'oubliez pas, tous les liquides doivent être de 100 ml ou moins.
Don't forget, all liquids must be 100 ml or less.
Oui, j'ai mis tous mes produits dans des petits flacons.
Yes, I put all my products in small bottles.
✕Common Mistakes
Tous les liquides sont 100 ml ou moins.
Using 'sont' (are) implies a statement of fact rather than an obligation. 'Doivent être' (must be) correctly conveys the requirement.
Tous les liquides doivent être à 100 ml ou moins.
The correct preposition to indicate a quantity limit is 'de', not 'à'. 'De 100 ml' means 'of 100 ml'.
↔Alternatives
Les liquides ne doivent pas dépasser 100 ml.
Liquids must not exceed 100 ml.
La limite pour les liquides est de 100 ml.
The limit for liquids is 100 ml.
Cultural Tip
This phrase is universally understood in French-speaking countries, especially in the context of air travel. It refers to the international standard for liquids in carry-on baggage. While the rule is strict, some travelers might try to push the limit slightly, but it's generally not advisable as security personnel are usually quite firm on this regulation.