“Me Too” in French: A Comprehensive Guide to Agreement

Understanding how to express agreement in French, particularly saying “me too,” is crucial for effective communication. This simple phrase can take on different forms depending on the context, the gender of the speaker, and whether the statement being agreed with is affirmative or negative.

Mastering these variations allows you to participate more naturally and accurately in conversations. This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, providing a comprehensive overview of the nuances involved in saying “me too” in French.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition: Saying “Me Too” in French
• Structural Breakdown
• Affirmative Agreement
  • Moi aussi
  • Nous aussi
• Negative Agreement
  • Moi non plus
  • Nous non plus
• Agreement with Adjectives
• Examples
  • Affirmative Agreement Examples
  • Negative Agreement Examples
  • Adjective Agreement Examples
  • Verb Agreement Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Affirmative or Negative?
  • Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
  • Exercise 3: Translation
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition: Saying “Me Too” in French

In French, expressing agreement with a previous statement is more nuanced than simply saying “me too” in English. The correct phrase depends on whether you’re agreeing with an affirmative or a negative statement. For affirmative statements, the equivalent of “me too” is generally moi aussi. For negative statements, it’s moi non plus. The choice between these phrases is crucial to ensure your response is grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning. Additionally, agreement with adjectives requires understanding gender and number agreement, adding another layer of complexity.

Understanding the difference between these expressions is essential for clear communication. Using the wrong phrase can lead to confusion or misunderstandings.

Mastering these forms of agreement also demonstrates a deeper understanding of French grammar and cultural nuances.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of “me too” equivalents in French is relatively straightforward, but the key lies in choosing the correct phrase based on the polarity of the statement. Moi is a stressed pronoun meaning “me.” Aussi means “also” or “too,” and non plus means “neither” or “not either.” The placement of these words is fixed in these expressions.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Moi aussi: Moi (me) + aussi (too, also)
• Moi non plus: Moi (me) + non plus (neither, not either)

The pronouns nous (we) can be used instead of moi to indicate “us too” or “we too,” following the same structure: Nous aussi and Nous non plus.

Affirmative Agreement

Moi aussi

Moi aussi is used to agree with a positive statement when you are speaking for yourself. It directly translates to “me too” and is the most common way to express affirmative agreement in French.

For example:

Person A: J’aime le chocolat. (I like chocolate.)

Person B: Moi aussi. (Me too.)

Nous aussi

Nous aussi is used when a group of people agrees with a positive statement. It means “we too” or “us too.”

For example:

Person A: Nous allons au cinéma. (We are going to the cinema.)

Person B: Nous aussi. (Us too.)

Negative Agreement

Moi non plus

Moi non plus is used to agree with a negative statement. It translates to “me neither” or “me either” and is essential for responding to negative statements correctly.

For example:

Person A: Je n’aime pas le café. (I don’t like coffee.)

Person B: Moi non plus. (Me neither.)

Nous non plus

Nous non plus is used when a group of people agrees with a negative statement. It means “neither do we” or “not us either.”

For example:

Person A: Nous ne sommes pas fatigués. (We are not tired.)

Person B: Nous non plus. (Neither are we.)

Agreement with Adjectives

Agreement with adjectives adds a layer of complexity. While moi aussi and moi non plus cover agreement with verbs and general statements, when agreeing with someone’s description of themselves using an adjective, you must ensure the adjective agrees in gender and number.

For example:

Person A (female): Je suis fatiguée. (I am tired.)

Person B (female): Moi aussi, je suis fatiguée. (Me too, I am tired.)

Person B (male): Moi aussi, je suis fatigué. (Me too, I am tired.)

In this case, you cannot simply say “Moi aussi.” You must repeat the adjective, ensuring it agrees with your own gender.

Examples

To further illustrate the usage of these phrases, here are several examples categorized by agreement type.

Affirmative Agreement Examples

The following table provides examples of affirmative statements and the corresponding “me too” responses using moi aussi and nous aussi. The examples vary in context and complexity to demonstrate the flexibility of these expressions.

Negative Agreement Examples

This table provides examples of negative statements and the corresponding “me neither” responses using moi non plus and nous non plus. These examples cover a range of scenarios to illustrate the correct usage in different contexts.

Adjective Agreement Examples

This table focuses on examples where agreement involves adjectives. It highlights the importance of gender and number agreement when responding to statements that describe someone’s state or condition.

Verb Agreement Examples

This table provides examples that focus on verb agreement. These examples showcase how moi aussi and moi non plus are used to agree with statements involving various verbs in different tenses.

Usage Rules

The primary rule is to use moi aussi for affirmative statements and moi non plus for negative statements. The choice depends solely on the polarity of the original statement.

Here are a few key rules to remember:

• Always use moi aussi to agree with a positive statement.
• Always use moi non plus to agree with a negative statement.
• When agreeing with an adjective describing someone, repeat the adjective, ensuring it agrees in gender and number.
• Use nous aussi and nous non plus when speaking on behalf of a group.

Exceptions: There are very few exceptions to these rules. The key is to accurately identify whether the original statement is affirmative or negative.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is using moi aussi to agree with a negative statement or vice versa. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of saying “me too” in French.

Exercise 1: Affirmative or Negative?

Determine whether the following statements are affirmative or negative. Then, choose the correct response: Moi aussi or Moi non plus.

1. J’adore les films français. (I love French movies.)
2. Je ne suis pas allé au concert. (I didn’t go to the concert.)
3. J’ai envie d’une pizza. (I feel like having a pizza.)
4. Je ne veux pas travailler aujourd’hui. (I don’t want to work today.)
5. Je suis content(e) de te voir. (I am happy to see you.)
6. Je ne suis pas fatigué(e). (I am not tired.)
7. J’ai visité Rome. (I visited Rome.)
8. Je n’ai pas visité Berlin. (I haven’t visited Berlin.)
9. Je travaille dans un bureau. (I work in an office.)
10. Je n’habite pas à Paris. (I don’t live in Paris.)

Answers:

1. Affirmative: Moi aussi.
2. Negative: Moi non plus.
3. Affirmative: Moi aussi.
4. Negative: Moi non plus.
5. Affirmative: Moi aussi.
6. Negative: Moi non plus.
7. Affirmative: Moi aussi.
8. Negative: Moi non plus.
9. Affirmative: Moi aussi.
10. Negative: Moi non plus.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase: Moi aussi, Moi non plus, Nous aussi, or Nous non plus.

1. Nous aimons la musique classique. _______. (We like classical music.)
2. Je ne suis pas allé au cinéma. _______. (I didn’t go to the cinema.)
3. Nous ne voulons pas manger de viande. _______. (We don’t want to eat meat.)
4. J’adore voyager. _______. (I love to travel.)
5. Nous sommes fatigués. _______. (We are tired.)
6. Je n’aime pas le sport. _______. (I don’t like sports.)
7. Nous n’avons pas de voiture. _______. (We don’t have a car.)
8. Je parle anglais. _______. (I speak English.)
9. Nous allons à la plage. _______. (We are going to the beach.)
10. Je ne travaille pas demain. _______. (I am not working tomorrow.)

Answers:

1. Nous aimons la musique classique. Nous aussi.
2. Je ne suis pas allé au cinéma. Moi non plus.
3. Nous ne voulons pas manger de viande. Nous non plus.
4. J’adore voyager. Moi aussi.
5. Nous sommes fatigués. Nous aussi.
6. Je n’aime pas le sport. Moi non plus.
7. Nous n’avons pas de voiture. Nous non plus.
8. Je parle anglais. Moi aussi.
9. Nous allons à la plage. Nous aussi.
10. Je ne travaille pas demain. Moi non plus.

Exercise 3: Translation

Translate the following sentences into French, including the appropriate “me too” response.

1. I like to read. Me too.
2. I don’t like to cook. Me neither.
3. We are going to the park. Us too.
4. We are not going to the museum. Neither are we.
5. I am happy. Me too. (Female speaker)
6. I am happy. Me too. (Male speaker)
7. I am tired. Me too. (Female speaker)
8. I am tired. Me too. (Male speaker)
9. I don’t have any brothers. Me neither.
10. I have a sister. Me too.

Answers:

1. J’aime lire. Moi aussi.
2. Je n’aime pas cuisiner. Moi non plus.
3. Nous allons au parc. Nous aussi.
4. Nous n’allons pas au musée. Nous non plus.
5. Je suis contente. Moi aussi, je suis contente.
6. Je suis content. Moi aussi, je suis content.
7. Je suis fatiguée. Moi aussi, je suis fatiguée.
8. Je suis fatigué. Moi aussi, je suis fatigué.
9. Je n’ai pas de frères. Moi non plus.
10. J’ai une sœur. Moi aussi.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring alternative ways to express agreement can enhance your fluency and understanding of French. Instead of always using moi aussi and moi non plus, consider using phrases like:

• C’est vrai: That’s true.
• Je suis d’accord: I agree.
• Absolument: Absolutely.
• Exactement: Exactly.
• Pareillement: Likewise. (More formal)

These expressions can add variety to your responses and make your conversations more engaging. Additionally, pay attention to the context and tone of the conversation to choose the most appropriate phrase.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between moi aussi and moi non plus?Moi aussi is used to agree with affirmative statements, while moi non plus is used to agree with negative statements. The choice depends entirely on whether the original statement is positive or negative.
2. Can I use moi aussi to agree with a negative statement?No, using moi aussi to agree with a negative statement is incorrect. You must use moi non plus in such cases.
3. When should I use nous aussi and nous non plus?Use nous aussi to agree with affirmative statements on behalf of a group, and use nous non plus to agree with negative statements on behalf of a group. These phrases are the plural equivalents of moi aussi and moi non plus.
4. Do I always have to repeat the adjective when agreeing with someone’s description of themselves?Yes, when agreeing with a statement where someone describes themselves using an adjective (e.g., Je suis fatigué(e)), you should repeat the adjective to ensure it agrees with your own gender. Simply saying “Moi aussi” is insufficient in this context.
5. Are there any exceptions to the rule of using moi aussi for affirmative statements and moi non plus for negative statements?There are very few exceptions. The key is to accurately identify whether the original statement is affirmative or negative. If you’re unsure, it’s best to clarify before responding.
6. What are some alternative ways to express agreement in French besides moi aussi and moi non plus?You can use phrases like C’est vrai (That’s true), Je suis d’accord (I agree), Absolument

   (Absolutely), Exactement (Exactly), and Pareillement (Likewise) to add variety to your responses.

7. How do I remember when to use moi aussi versus moi non plus?Think of aussi as being similar to “also,” which you use in positive contexts. Non plus includes “non,” indicating negation, so it aligns with negative statements. This association can help you remember which phrase to use.
8. Is it rude to simply say moi aussi or moi non plus?No, it is not considered rude. These are common and perfectly acceptable ways to express agreement in French. However, adding a bit more to your response can make the conversation more engaging and show greater interest.
9. Can I use moi aussi or moi non plus in very formal situations?Yes, you can, but in very formal situations, consider using more elaborate phrases like Je suis tout à fait d’accord (I completely agree) or Je partage votre opinion (I share your opinion) to show respect and sophistication.
10. What should I do if I’m not sure whether a statement is affirmative or negative?If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask for clarification. You could say, “Vous voulez dire que…?” (Do you mean that…?) and rephrase the statement to confirm its polarity before responding.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of saying “me too” in French involves understanding the nuances between affirmative and negative agreement, as well as accounting for gender and number when adjectives are involved. By using moi aussi for positive statements and moi non plus for negative statements, you can ensure your responses are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning clearly. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to context to refine your skills.

With the knowledge and exercises provided in this guide, you’re well-equipped to express agreement confidently and accurately in French conversations. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find these phrases becoming second nature!