When learning a new language, it’s important to know how to express common words like “same.” In French, there are several ways to say “same,” depending on the context. Understanding these different expressions can help you sound more natural and improve your communication skills. Whether you’re talking about something being identical or simply similar, the word “same” has several French equivalents.
In this article, we’ll explore how to say “same” in French and look at different ways to use it in everyday conversations. You’ll also learn how to respond when someone says “same” to you. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently use these expressions in a variety of situations. Let’s dive in and explore the different ways to say “same” in French!
Ways to Say “Same” in French
In French, there are a few different ways to say “same,” depending on the situation and the meaning you want to convey. Here are some common expressions you can use:
1. Même
Pronunciation: /mɛv/
Meaning: This is the most direct translation of “same” and is used when referring to something identical or very similar. It can also be used to emphasize something in comparison.
In a Sentence:
- Nous avons acheté la même voiture. (We bought the same car.)
- Elle porte la même robe que hier. (She is wearing the same dress as yesterday.)
2. Identique
Pronunciation: /idɑ̃tik/
Meaning: This word is used when you want to stress that two things are exactly identical. It’s a bit more formal than “même.”
In a Sentence:
- Ces deux tableaux sont identiques. (These two paintings are identical.)
- Les résultats sont identiques à ceux de l’année dernière. (The results are identical to those of last year.)
3. Pareille
Pronunciation: /paʁɛj/
Meaning: This is a feminine form of “same” and is used when talking about things that are alike or similar in nature.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a une robe pareille à la mienne. (She has a dress the same as mine.)
- Tu veux la même chose que moi, pareille. (You want the same thing as me, similar.)
4. Semblable
Pronunciation: /sɑ̃blabl/
Meaning: This word means “similar” and is used when two things are not exactly the same, but are very close.
In a Sentence:
- Ces deux idées sont semblables. (These two ideas are similar.)
- Nous avons des goûts semblables. (We have similar tastes.)
5. Equivalente
Pronunciation: /ɛkivɑlɑ̃t/
Meaning: This is used when comparing things that are equivalent in value, quality, or function.
In a Sentence:
- Ce prix est équivalent à celui de l’année dernière. (This price is the same as last year’s.)
- Son travail est équivalent au mien. (Her work is equivalent to mine.)
6. Tout à fait pareil
Pronunciation: /tu a fe paʁɛj/
Meaning: This phrase emphasizes something that is exactly the same or very much alike. It’s like saying “exactly the same.”
In a Sentence:
- Nous avons tout à fait pareil en goût. (We have exactly the same taste.)
- Les deux situations sont tout à fait pareilles. (The two situations are exactly the same.)
7. Surtout pareil
Pronunciation: /syʁtu paʁɛj/
Meaning: This phrase means “especially the same” or “particularly alike,” and it highlights similarity in a specific context.
In a Sentence:
- Ces films sont surtout pareils dans leur style. (These movies are especially the same in their style.)
- Les deux entreprises sont surtout pareilles dans leur mission. (The two companies are especially the same in their mission.)
8. Similaire
Pronunciation: /simiʁɛʁ/
Meaning: Used to describe things that are alike or similar but not identical.
In a Sentence:
- Nos opinions sont similaires. (Our opinions are similar.)
- Cette situation est similaire à celle d’hier. (This situation is similar to yesterday’s.)
9. De même
Pronunciation: /də mɛm/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “likewise” or “in the same way.” It’s often used to show that something is happening in the same manner.
In a Sentence:
- Il a accepté l’invitation, et de même, elle a accepté. (He accepted the invitation, and likewise, she did too.)
- Je vais à l’école à 8h, et de même mes frères. (I go to school at 8 o’clock, and my brothers do the same.)
10. Comme
Pronunciation: /kɔm/
Meaning: This word means “like” or “as” and is used when comparing things that are the same or similar in nature.
In a Sentence:
- Il parle comme son père. (He talks like his father.)
- Elle chante comme une professionnelle. (She sings like a professional.)
11. Un(e) autre de même
Pronunciation: /œ̃ otʁ də mɛm/
Meaning: This phrase means “another one the same” or “a similar one.”
In a Sentence:
- Je veux un autre sandwich de même. (I want another sandwich the same.)
- Peux-tu me donner un autre livre de même ? (Can you give me another book like that?)
12. Comparable
Pronunciation: /kɔ̃paʁabl/
Meaning: This means “comparable” and is used when two things are similar enough to be compared.
In a Sentence:
- Les deux produits sont comparables. (The two products are comparable.)
- Le prix de ce livre est comparable à celui du magasin voisin. (The price of this book is comparable to that of the nearby store.)
13. Jumeau (jumeaux)
Pronunciation: /ʒymo (ʒymo)/
Meaning: This word means “twin” and is used when two things are exactly the same or come in pairs.
In a Sentence:
- Ils sont jumeaux, donc ils se ressemblent beaucoup. (They are twins, so they look very similar.)
- Les deux jumeaux portent les mêmes vêtements. (The two twins are wearing the same clothes.)
14. Identique à
Pronunciation: /idɑ̃tik a/
Meaning: This is a specific way to say something is identical to something else.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film est identique à celui que nous avons vu l’année dernière. (This movie is identical to the one we watched last year.)
- Le prix de ce produit est identique à celui de l’autre boutique. (The price of this product is identical to the one in the other shop.)
15. Aussi
Pronunciation: /ɔsi/
Meaning: “Aussi” means “also” and is used to show that something is the same or similar.
In a Sentence:
- Elle est aussi gentille que sa sœur. (She is as kind as her sister.)
- Ce film est aussi intéressant que le livre. (This movie is as interesting as the book.)
16. L’un(e) et l’autre
Pronunciation: /l‿œ̃ et l‿otʁ/
Meaning: This phrase means “both” and is used when referring to two things that are the same.
In a Sentence:
- L’un et l’autre sont d’accord avec la décision. (Both are in agreement with the decision.)
- L’un et l’autre ont choisi la même couleur. (Both chose the same color.)
17. Correspondant
Pronunciation: /kɔʁɛspɔ̃dɑ̃/
Meaning: This means “corresponding,” which is used when two things match or are equivalent in some way.
In a Sentence:
- Les réponses de ces étudiants sont correspondantes. (The answers of these students are corresponding.)
- Le plan de ce projet est correspondant à celui du mois dernier. (The plan for this project is corresponding to last month’s.)
18. Aussi bien
Pronunciation: /ɔsi bjɛ̃/
Meaning: This phrase means “as well” and is often used to show similarity between two things.
In a Sentence:
- Elle chante aussi bien que son amie. (She sings as well as her friend.)
- Cet acteur joue aussi bien que celui de l’autre film. (This actor plays just as well as the one in the other film.)
19. Comme celui-ci
Pronunciation: /kɔm səly si/
Meaning: This means “like this one” and is used to refer to something that is the same as something else.
In a Sentence:
- Je veux une robe comme celle-ci. (I want a dress like this one.)
- Ce gâteau ressemble à celui-ci. (This cake looks like this one.)
20. Exactement le même
Pronunciation: /ɛgzaktəmɑ̃ lə mɛm/
Meaning: This phrase means “exactly the same.” It’s a strong way of saying that two things are identical.
In a Sentence:
- Ces deux chapeaux sont exactement le même. (These two hats are exactly the same.)
- Ils ont exactement les mêmes goûts musicaux. (They have exactly the same musical tastes.)
21. Du même genre
Pronunciation: /dy mɛm ʒɔʁ/
Meaning: This means “of the same kind,” and it’s used to describe things that are similar but may not be identical.
In a Sentence:
- Il aime les films du même genre. (He likes movies of the same kind.)
- Nous avons acheté des produits du même genre. (We bought products of the same kind.)
22. De la même manière
Pronunciation: /də la mɛm manɛʁ/
Meaning: This phrase means “in the same way” and is used to indicate that two actions or events are done in the same manner.
In a Sentence:
- Elle a réagi de la même manière que son frère. (She reacted in the same way as her brother.)
- Ils ont résolu le problème de la même manière. (They solved the problem in the same way.)
23. En même temps
Pronunciation: /ɑ̃ mɛm tɑ̃/
Meaning: This phrase means “at the same time” and is used to refer to actions or events that occur simultaneously.
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont parlé en même temps. (They spoke at the same time.)
- Les deux enfants ont demandé le même jouet en même temps. (The two kids asked for the same toy at the same time.)
24. Sous la même forme
Pronunciation: /su la mɛm fɔʁm/
Meaning: This means “in the same form” and is used to show that something is in the same shape or style.
In a Sentence:
- Le projet a été présenté sous la même forme que l’année dernière. (The project was presented in the same form as last year.)
- Il a signé le contrat sous la même forme. (He signed the contract in the same form.)
25. Sous le même nom
Pronunciation: /su lə mɛm nɔ̃/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “under the same name,” and it’s used when referring to things that share the same label or title.
In a Sentence:
- Les deux produits sont vendus sous le même nom. (Both products are sold under the same name.)
- Ils ont lancé une entreprise sous le même nom. (They launched a business under the same name.)
Other Ways to Say “Same” in French
Here’s a table of additional ways to say “Same” in French.
| Other ways to say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Similaire à | /simiʁɛʁ a/ | Similar to | – Ce film est similaire à celui que j’ai vu hier. (This movie is similar to the one I saw yesterday.) |
| – Nos opinions sont similaires à celles de nos parents. (Our opinions are similar to our parents’.) | |||
| Tout pareil | /tu paʁɛj/ | Exactly the same | – Ces deux téléphones sont tout pareils. (These two phones are exactly the same.) |
| – Ils ont tout pareil dans leur comportement. (They have exactly the same behavior.) | |||
| De même que | /də mɛm kə/ | In the same way as | – Il a fait de même que moi. (He did the same as I did.) |
| – Elle a répondu de même que ses collègues. (She responded in the same way as her colleagues.) | |||
| Dans le même ordre | /dɑ̃ lə mɛm ɔʁdʁə/ | In the same order | – Les élèves ont rangé leurs livres dans le même ordre. (The students arranged their books in the same order.) |
| – Nous avons organisé l’événement dans le même ordre chaque année. (We have organized the event in the same order every year.) | |||
| Sous le même toit | /su lə mɛm twa/ | Under the same roof | – Ils vivent sous le même toit. (They live under the same roof.) |
| – Nos familles vivent sous le même toit depuis des années. (Our families have lived under the same roof for years.) | |||
| Comme celui-là | /kɔm səly la/ | Like that one | – J’ai un t-shirt comme celui-là. (I have a shirt like that one.) |
| – Je veux un gâteau comme celui-là. (I want a cake like that one.) | |||
| De même nature | /də mɛm natyʁ/ | Of the same nature | – Les deux projets sont de même nature. (The two projects are of the same nature.) |
| – Ils ont des talents de même nature. (They have talents of the same nature.) | |||
| Semblable à celui-ci | /sɑ̃blabl a səly si/ | Similar to this one | – Cette chanson est semblable à celle-ci. (This song is similar to this one.) |
| – Les résultats sont semblables à ceux de la semaine dernière. (The results are similar to those from last week.) | |||
| Dans la même catégorie | /dɑ̃ la mɛm katɛɡɔʁi/ | In the same category | – Les deux films appartiennent à la même catégorie. (The two movies belong to the same category.) |
| – Ce livre est dans la même catégorie que celui que j’ai lu. (This book is in the same category as the one I read.) | |||
| En pareil cas | /ɑ̃ paʁɛj ka/ | In the same case | – En pareil cas, il faut agir rapidement. (In the same case, you must act quickly.) |
| – Je ferais pareil dans ce cas. (I would do the same in this case.) | |||
| De façon identique | /də fasɔ̃ idɑ̃tik/ | In an identical manner | – Ils ont réagi de façon identique. (They reacted in an identical manner.) |
| – Les deux systèmes fonctionnent de façon identique. (The two systems work in an identical manner.) | |||
| Comme pareil | /kɔm paʁɛj/ | Like alike, exactly the same | – Ils veulent des vêtements comme pareil. (They want clothes exactly like that.) |
| – Les deux bâtiments sont comme pareils. (The two buildings are exactly alike.) | |||
| Avec la même intention | /avɛk la mɛm ɛ̃tɑ̃sjɔ̃/ | With the same intention | – Ils ont agi avec la même intention de réussite. (They acted with the same intention of success.) |
| – Elle parle avec la même intention d’aider. (She speaks with the same intention to help.) | |||
| Dans le même esprit | /dɑ̃ lə mɛm ɛspʁi/ | In the same spirit | – Ils travaillent dans le même esprit d’équipe. (They work in the same team spirit.) |
| – Nous avons abordé le problème dans le même esprit. (We approached the problem in the same spirit.) | |||
| Similaire dans le fond | /simiʁɛʁ dɑ̃ lə fɔ̃/ | Similar in essence | – Les deux propositions sont similaires dans le fond. (The two proposals are similar in essence.) |
| – Les deux idées sont similaires dans le fond mais différentes dans la forme. (The two ideas are similar in essence but different in form.) | |||
| Tout aussi bien | /tu osi bjɛ̃/ | Just as well | – Elle joue tout aussi bien que lui. (She plays just as well as he does.) |
| – Il a répondu tout aussi bien que son frère. (He responded just as well as his brother.) |
Response to “Same” in French
When someone says “same” in French, there are different ways you can respond, depending on the context. These responses can express agreement, show understanding, or acknowledge similarities. Here are some common responses to “same” in French that will help you keep your conversations flowing naturally.
1. Moi aussi
Pronunciation: /mwa osi/
Meaning: This is a direct translation of “me too” and is commonly used to express agreement or similarity.
In a Sentence:
- A: J’aime ce film ! (I like this movie!)
- B: Moi aussi ! (Me too!)
2. Pareillement
Pronunciation: /paʁɛjɛ̃mɑ̃/
Meaning: This is a formal way to say “likewise” or “in the same way.”
In a Sentence:
- A: J’ai bien aimé le dîner. (I really enjoyed the dinner.)
- B: Pareillement ! (Likewise!)
3. C’est vrai
Pronunciation: /se vʁɛ/
Meaning: This phrase translates to “that’s true” and can be used when you agree with someone saying that something is the same.
In a Sentence:
- A: Ce gâteau est délicieux, il a exactement le même goût que l’autre. (This cake is delicious, it tastes exactly the same as the other one.)
- B: C’est vrai ! (That’s true!)
4. Exactement
Pronunciation: /ɛgzaktəmɑ̃/
Meaning: “Exactly” is used to confirm that something is indeed the same.
In a Sentence:
- A: Cette chanson est exactement la même que celle que j’ai écoutée hier. (This song is exactly the same as the one I listened to yesterday.)
- B: Exactement ! (Exactly!)
5. Moi aussi, je suis pareil
Pronunciation: /mwa osi ʒə sɥi paʁɛj/
Meaning: This phrase means “Me too, I’m the same,” and is used to show that you also share the same opinion or feeling.
In a Sentence:
- A: Je déteste les films d’horreur. (I hate horror movies.)
- B: Moi aussi, je suis pareil. (Me too, I’m the same.)
6. Je suis d’accord
Pronunciation: /ʒə sɥi dakɔʁ/
Meaning: This phrase means “I agree,” and it is often used in response when you agree that something is the same or similar.
In a Sentence:
- A: Nous avons les mêmes idées. (We have the same ideas.)
- B: Je suis d’accord. (I agree.)
7. Tu as raison
Pronunciation: /ty a ʁɛzɔ̃/
Meaning: This means “you are right” and can be used when someone points out that things are the same or similar.
In a Sentence:
- A: Ce projet est similaire au précédent. (This project is similar to the previous one.)
- B: Tu as raison. (You are right.)
8. C’est le même pour moi
Pronunciation: /se lə mɛm puʁ mwa/
Meaning: This means “it’s the same for me” and is a way to show that you feel the same about a situation.
In a Sentence:
- A: J’aime les deux options, mais je préfère la première. (I like both options, but I prefer the first one.)
- B: C’est le même pour moi. (It’s the same for me.)
9. Ça me va aussi
Pronunciation: /sa mə va osi/
Meaning: This means “that works for me too,” and can be used when agreeing with someone’s suggestion or situation that is the same.
In a Sentence:
- A: On se retrouve à 18h ? (Shall we meet at 6 PM?)
- B: Ça me va aussi. (That works for me too.)
10. Je pense pareil
Pronunciation: /ʒə pɑ̃s paʁɛj/
Meaning: This phrase means “I think the same,” and can be used when you share the same opinion as someone.
In a Sentence:
- A: Je crois que ce projet va bien se passer. (I think this project will go well.)
- B: Je pense pareil. (I think the same.)
11. Bien sûr
Pronunciation: /bjɛ̃ syʁ/
Meaning: This means “of course,” and is often used when agreeing with something that is the same or obvious.
In a Sentence:
- A: Tu veux le même café que moi ? (Do you want the same coffee as me?)
- B: Bien sûr ! (Of course!)
12. Tout à fait
Pronunciation: /tu a fe/
Meaning: “Totally” or “Absolutely,” used to show strong agreement.
In a Sentence:
- A: Ce film est fantastique, il est vraiment le même que celui que nous avons regardé la semaine dernière. (This movie is fantastic, it’s really the same as the one we watched last week.)
- B: Tout à fait. (Absolutely.)
Exercise to Practice Success: “Same” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice the different ways to say “same” in French. Each sentence is in French, and you can use the expressions we’ve covered earlier to complete them. After the exercises, I’ll provide the correct answers and the meanings of the sentences.
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate expression for “same.”
- Nous avons acheté des chaussures __________. (We bought the same shoes.)
- Elle porte une robe __________ que la mienne. (She is wearing a dress the same as mine.)
- Ces deux idées sont __________. (These two ideas are similar.)
- Il a une voiture __________ à celle de son frère. (He has a car identical to his brother’s.)
- Tu veux le __________ que moi ? (Do you want the same as me?)
- Nous avons reçu les résultats __________. (We received the same results.)
- Ils ont répondu de __________ manière. (They answered in the same way.)
- Ce film est __________ que celui que j’ai vu hier. (This movie is exactly the same as the one I saw yesterday.)
- J’ai un t-shirt __________ à celui-ci. (I have a t-shirt like this one.)
- Ce gâteau a le __________ goût que celui que j’ai mangé. (This cake tastes the same as the one I ate.)
- Leur travail est __________ dans le fond. (Their work is the same in essence.)
- Nous avons les __________ goûts musicaux. (We have the same musical tastes.)
Answers:
- même
(We bought the same shoes.) - pareille
(She is wearing a dress the same as mine.) - semblables
(These two ideas are similar.) - identique
(He has a car identical to his brother’s.) - même chose
(Do you want the same as me?) - identiques
(We received the same results.) - la même
(They answered in the same way.) - exactement la même
(This movie is exactly the same as the one I saw yesterday.) - comme
(I have a t-shirt like this one.) - même
(This cake tastes the same as the one I ate.) - similaires
(Their work is the same in essence.) - mêmes
(We have the same musical tastes.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “same” in French opens up a range of possibilities for expressing similarity and agreement in different situations. Whether you’re talking about identical objects, similar experiences, or shared opinions, knowing the right words to use will make your French conversations smoother and more natural. From common words like même and identique to more specific phrases like tout à fait pareil or comme celui-ci, there are many ways to express the idea of “same” in French.
By practicing the different expressions and using them in context, you’ll be able to communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Don’t forget to also work on responses like Moi aussi and C’est vrai to keep your conversations flowing! Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be able to use these expressions effortlessly in real-life situations. Happy learning!