How to Use “Même” in French

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The French word “même” is super versatile, and it can be applied in many different contexts with numerous interpretations. Let’s take a look at some examples demonstrating the different ways to use “même” in French:

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1. Adjective: “Même” can function as an adjective, meaning “same” or “very.” It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

• J’ai acheté une robe rouge, et ma sœur a acheté la même.
• I bought a red dress, and my sister bought the same one.

Here, “la même” refers to the dress, emphasizing that the sister bought the same dress as the speaker.

• Je travaille pour moi-même.
• I work for myself.
• Il a écrit le livre lui-même.
• He wrote the book himself.

In these sentences, “moi-même” and “lui-même” refer back to the subjects (the speaker and “il”) and emphasize that they perform the action on their own.

3. Adverb: “Même” can function as an adverb, meaning “even” or “still.” It emphasizes a statement or intensifies a quality.

• Elle travaille même le dimanche.
• She works even on Sundays.
• C’est vraiment difficile, même pour un expert.
• It’s really difficult, even for an expert.

4. Conjunction: “Même” can be used as a conjunction, meaning “even if” or “even though.” It introduces a clause that expresses a contrast or an unexpected outcome.

• Même s’il pleut, je sortirai.
• Even if it rains, I will go out.
• Même si elle est fatiguée, elle continue à travailler.
• Even though she’s tired, she keeps working.

5. Expletive: “Même” can also function as an expletive, meaning it has no specific meaning but serves to emphasize a statement. It is used to reinforce an idea or draw attention to something.

• Je l’ai vu, même hier soir.
• I saw him, even last night.
• C’est (Ce n’est) même pas drôle!
• It’s not even funny!

6. Comparisons: “Même” can be used in comparative constructions to indicate similarity or equality. It is used to express that two or more things are the same or similar.

• Tu as les mêmes chaussures que moi.
• You have the same shoes as me.
• Elles ont les mêmes yeux bleus.
• They have the same blue eyes.

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Adjective	“Même” can function as an adjective, meaning “same” or “very.”	C’est la même voiture.	It’s the same car.
	It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.	Il est très gentil, même trop gentil.	He’s very kind, even too kind.
Pronoun	As a pronoun, “même” often translates to “same” or “self” in English.	J’ai acheté une robe rouge, et ma sœur a acheté la même.	I bought a red dress, and my sister bought the same one.
	Its usage can vary depending on the sentence structure and the intended meaning.	Il a écrit le livre lui-même.	He wrote the book himself.
Adverb	“Même” can function as an adverb, meaning “even” or “still.”	Elle travaille même le dimanche.	She works even on Sundays.
	It emphasizes a statement or intensifies a quality.	C’est vraiment difficile, même pour un expert.	It’s really difficult, even for an expert.
Conjunction	“Même” can be used as a conjunction, meaning “even if” or “even though.”	Même s’il pleut, je sortirai.	Even if it rains, I will go out.
	It introduces a clause that expresses a contrast or an unexpected outcome.	Même si elle est fatiguée, elle continue à travailler.	Even though she’s tired, she keeps working.
Expletive	“Même” can also function as an expletive, meaning it has no specific meaning but serves to emphasize a statement.	Je l’ai vu, même hier soir.	I saw him, even last night.
	It is used to reinforce an idea or draw attention to something.	C’est (Ce n’est) même pas drôle!	It’s not even funny!
Comparisons	“Même” can be used in comparative constructions to indicate similarity or equality.	Tu as les mêmes chaussures que moi.	You have the same shoes as me.
	It is used to express that two or more things are the same or similar.	Elles ont les mêmes yeux bleus.	They have the same blue eyes.