Saying “Me Too” in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to express agreement or shared experiences is a fundamental aspect of language acquisition. In English, we often use the simple phrase “me too” to indicate that we share a sentiment, experience, or preference.

However, the French language offers a variety of ways to convey this idea, each with its own nuances and appropriate contexts. Mastering these expressions will not only enhance your conversational fluency but also allow you to navigate social interactions with greater confidence and accuracy.

This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, who wish to understand and use the various ways of saying “me too” in French.

Table of Contents

Definition: Saying “Me Too” in French

The phrase “me too” in English is used to express agreement or a shared experience with a statement made by another person. In French, this simple expression translates into several different phrases, each with its own specific usage and context. The most common translations include moi aussi, moi non plus, moi également, and pareil. The choice of which phrase to use depends primarily on whether the original statement is affirmative or negative. Understanding these nuances is crucial to accurately conveying your agreement or shared sentiment in French.

Essentially, these phrases function as adverbs or interjections, modifying the implied verb or expressing a spontaneous reaction. They allow you to quickly and efficiently indicate that you share the same feeling, opinion, or experience as the person speaking.

While the English “me too” is relatively straightforward, the French equivalents offer greater precision in expressing agreement, especially with negative statements.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of these phrases is relatively simple. They typically consist of a pronoun (moi) followed by an adverb (aussi, non plus, également) or a single word that functions as an adverb (pareil). The pronoun moi emphasizes that the agreement applies specifically to the speaker. It’s important to note that these phrases are usually used in response to a previous statement and don’t typically stand alone as independent sentences.

Let’s break down the common structures:

  • Moi aussi: Moi (me) + aussi (also, too) – Used to agree with a positive statement.
  • Moi non plus: Moi (me) + non plus (neither, not either) – Used to agree with a negative statement.
  • Moi également: Moi (me) + également (also, equally) – A more formal synonym of moi aussi.
  • Pareil: (Same) – Can be used for both positive and negative statements in informal contexts.

The intonation used when saying these phrases is also important. Typically, a slightly raised intonation conveys enthusiasm or strong agreement.

Types and Categories

There are several ways to say “me too” in French, each with its own specific use case. The primary distinction lies in whether you are agreeing with a positive or negative statement.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common expressions:

Moi aussi

Moi aussi is the most common and direct translation of “me too” and is used to agree with a positive statement. It literally means “me also” or “me too”. This expression is versatile and can be used in a wide range of situations, from casual conversations to more formal settings.

Moi non plus

Moi non plus is used to agree with a negative statement. It translates to “me neither” or “not me either.” This is crucial for avoiding confusion, as using moi aussi in response to a negative statement would indicate disagreement. For instance, if someone says “I don’t like coffee,” you would use moi non plus to express that you also dislike coffee.

Moi également

Moi également is a more formal alternative to moi aussi. It also translates to “me too” or “me also,” but it is generally used in more formal settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. While it conveys the same meaning as moi aussi, it adds a touch of politeness and sophistication to your speech.

Pareil

Pareil is an informal and versatile option that can be used to agree with both positive and negative statements, depending on the context. It simply means “same here” or “likewise.” While convenient, its informality makes it more suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. It’s essential to listen to the tone and context of the conversation to ensure that your use of pareil is appropriate.

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D’accord

D’accord translates to “agreed” or “okay.” While not a direct translation of “me too,” it can be used to express agreement with a statement or proposal. It’s more about agreeing to something than sharing an experience or feeling.

C’est vrai

C’est vrai means “that’s true” or “it’s true.” Like d’accord, it’s not a direct translation of “me too,” but it can be used to express agreement with a statement of fact or opinion.

Other Expressions

While the above are the most common, other ways to express agreement exist, although they are not direct equivalents of “me too.” These include phrases like Je pense la même chose (“I think the same thing”) or Je suis du même avis (“I’m of the same opinion”). These phrases are more explicit and can be used to emphasize your agreement.

Examples

To solidify your understanding, let’s examine various examples of how these phrases are used in context. The correct choice depends heavily on whether the original statement is positive or negative.

Examples of Moi aussi

The following table illustrates the use of moi aussi in response to positive statements. Note how it directly translates to “me too” and indicates shared agreement or experience.

Statement (French) Statement (English) Response (French) Response (English)
J’aime le chocolat. I like chocolate. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis fatigué aujourd’hui. I am tired today. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai envie d’aller au cinéma. I feel like going to the cinema. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je parle français. I speak French. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis content de te voir. I’m happy to see you. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’adore cette chanson. I love this song. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je vais voyager en France. I am going to travel to France. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai faim. I am hungry. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis étudiant. I am a student. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’aime le café. I like coffee. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je travaille ici. I work here. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai visité Paris. I visited Paris. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis allé à la plage. I went to the beach. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai vu ce film. I saw this movie. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis allé au concert. I went to the concert. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je lis ce livre. I am reading this book. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis heureux. I am happy. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai un chat. I have a cat. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis célibataire. I am single. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’aime voyager. I like to travel. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je connais cette ville. I know this city. Moi aussi. Me too.
J’ai froid. I am cold. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis perdu. I am lost. Moi aussi. Me too.
Je suis prêt. I am ready. Moi aussi. Me too.

Examples of Moi non plus

The following table demonstrates the use of moi non plus, which is essential for agreeing with negative statements. Using moi aussi in these situations would be grammatically incorrect and convey the opposite meaning.

Statement (French) Statement (English) Response (French) Response (English)
Je n’aime pas le café. I don’t like coffee. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas allé au cinéma. I didn’t go to the cinema. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne comprends pas. I don’t understand. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas fatigué. I am not tired. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’ai pas faim. I am not hungry. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne parle pas allemand. I don’t speak German. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’ai pas de voiture. I don’t have a car. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas d’accord. I don’t agree. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne sais pas. I don’t know. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’aime pas ce film. I don’t like this movie. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas étudiant. I am not a student. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne travaille pas ici. I don’t work here. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’ai pas visité Rome. I haven’t visited Rome. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas allé à la montagne. I didn’t go to the mountain. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne veux pas partir. I don’t want to leave. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’ai pas mangé. I haven’t eaten. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas marié. I am not married. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas français. I am not French. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’ai pas de chien. I don’t have a dog. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas content. I am not happy. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne connais pas cette personne. I don’t know this person. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas sûr. I am not sure. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je n’aime pas le sport. I don’t like sports. Moi non plus. Me neither.
Je ne suis pas libre demain. I am not free tomorrow. Moi non plus. Me neither.
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Examples of Moi également

Moi également serves the same purpose as moi aussi but is more formal. Here are some examples of its usage:

Statement (French) Statement (English) Response (French) Response (English)
Je suis ravi de faire votre connaissance. I am delighted to meet you. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis satisfait de ce résultat. I am satisfied with this result. Moi également. Me too.
Je tiens à vous remercier. I want to thank you. Moi également. Me too.
J’apprécie votre collaboration. I appreciate your collaboration. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis impatient de commencer ce projet. I am looking forward to starting this project. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis intéressé par cette proposition. I am interested in this proposal. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis disponible pour une réunion. I am available for a meeting. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis confiant dans l’avenir. I am confident about the future. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis sensible à cette question. I am sensitive to this issue. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis conscient des enjeux. I am aware of the stakes. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis reconnaissant pour votre aide. I am grateful for your help. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis favorable à cette idée. I am in favor of this idea. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis heureux de vous accueillir. I am happy to welcome you. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis disposé à collaborer. I am willing to collaborate. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis honoré de votre invitation. I am honored by your invitation. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis impressionné par votre travail. I am impressed by your work. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis prêt à relever ce défi. I am ready to take on this challenge. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis sensible à votre situation. I am sensitive to your situation. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis disponible pour répondre à vos questions. I am available to answer your questions. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis ravi de vous revoir. I am delighted to see you again. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis ouvert à la discussion. I am open to discussion. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis fier de votre réussite. I am proud of your success. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis attentif à vos besoins. I am attentive to your needs. Moi également. Me too.
Je suis favorable à cette proposition. I am in favor of this proposal. Moi également. Me too.

Examples of Pareil

Pareil is an informal option suitable for casual conversations. It can be used for both positive and negative statements, but its meaning is often inferred from the context.

Statement (French) Statement (English) Response (French) Response (English)
J’ai très envie de dormir. I really want to sleep. Pareil. Same here.
Je suis crevé ! I’m exhausted! Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai aucune idée. I have no idea. Pareil. Same here.
Je suis tellement content des vacances. I’m so happy about the holidays. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas aimé ce restaurant. I didn’t like this restaurant. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai hâte d’être en week-end. I can’t wait for the weekend. Pareil. Same here.
Je suis stressé par le travail. I’m stressed about work. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas fini mes devoirs. I haven’t finished my homework. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai envie d’une pizza. I want a pizza. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas envie de cuisiner. I don’t feel like cooking. Pareil. Same here.
Je suis fatigué de cette situation. I’m tired of this situation. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas envie de sortir ce soir. I don’t feel like going out tonight. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai adoré ce film. I loved this movie. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas compris le film. I didn’t understand the movie. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai froid aujourd’hui. I’m cold today. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas d’argent. I don’t have any money. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai besoin de vacances. I need a vacation. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas le temps. I don’t have time. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai envie de soleil. I want sunshine. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas de chance. I’m unlucky. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai peur des araignées. I’m afraid of spiders. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’aime pas le lundi. I don’t like Mondays. Pareil. Same here.
J’ai beaucoup de travail. I have a lot of work. Pareil. Same here.
Je n’ai pas de patience. I don’t have patience. Pareil. Same here.
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Usage Rules

The primary rule is to use moi aussi for positive statements and moi non plus for negative statements. Moi également is a formal substitute for moi aussi. Pareil is informal and can be used in both contexts, relying on the listener to understand the intended meaning based on the conversation’s tone and content.

Here’s a summary of the usage rules:

  • Positive Statements: Use moi aussi or moi également.
  • Negative Statements: Use moi non plus.
  • Informal Contexts: Use pareil for both positive and negative statements.

It is essential to pay attention to negation in French. Negation is usually formed with ne…pas around the verb. Recognizing this structure will help you choose the correct response (moi non plus).

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is using moi aussi in response to a negative statement. This indicates disagreement rather than agreement. Another mistake is using pareil in formal settings, where moi aussi or moi également would be more appropriate. Finally, overlooking the negation (ne…pas) and responding with moi aussi when moi non plus is needed is a frequent error.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect Correct Explanation
Je n’aime pas les épinards. Moi aussi. Je n’aime pas les épinards. Moi non plus. Using moi aussi after a negative statement is wrong.
(In a formal setting) Je suis ravi de vous rencontrer. Pareil. (In a formal setting) Je suis ravi de vous rencontrer. Moi également. Pareil is too informal for formal situations.
Je ne suis pas allé au concert. Moi aussi. Je ne suis pas allé au concert. Moi non plus. The statement is negative, so moi non plus is required.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the correct response to each statement.

  1. Statement: J’adore la cuisine italienne.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi non plus. b) Moi aussi. c) Pareil.

  2. Statement: Je ne suis pas allé en vacances cette année.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi aussi. b) Moi non plus. c) Moi également.

  3. Statement: Je suis très content de cette nouvelle.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi non plus. b) Pareil. c) Moi aussi.

  4. Statement: Je n’ai pas envie de travailler aujourd’hui.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi aussi. b) Moi non plus. c) Moi également.

  5. Statement: J’aime beaucoup ce livre.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi non plus. b) Moi aussi. c) Pareil.

  6. Statement: Je ne comprends pas cette règle.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi aussi. b) Moi non plus. c) Pareil.

  7. Statement: Je suis fatigué ce soir.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi non plus. b) Moi aussi. c) Moi également.

  8. Statement: Je n’ai pas de frères et sœurs.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi aussi. b) Moi non plus. c) Pareil.

  9. Statement: Je suis impatient de voir ce film.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi non plus. b) Moi aussi. c) Moi également.

  10. Statement: Je ne parle pas espagnol.

    Possible Responses: a) Moi aussi. b) Moi non plus. c) Pareil.

Answer Key:

  1. b) Moi aussi.
  2. b) Moi non plus.
  3. c) Moi aussi.
  4. b) Moi non plus.
  5. b) Moi aussi.
  6. b) Moi non plus.
  7. b) Moi aussi.
  8. b) Moi non plus.
  9. b) Moi aussi.
  10. b) Moi non plus.

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