French word

même

Pronunciation

IPA/mɛm/

Meaning

  • adjectivesame

Example

Elles portent les mêmes chaussures.

They are wearing the same shoes.

Illustration for même (same)

More examples

Nous avons le même problème.

We have the same problem.

Core concept

A pair of things matches so completely in nature, shape, or state that no meaningful difference separates them.

Common phrases

  • le même problème

    the same problem

  • la même chose

    the same thing

  • les mêmes chaussures

    the same shoes

Similar words

pareil: So much alike in appearance or qualities that distinction is difficult.
identique: The same in every detail, without any difference.

Definition in French

Qui correspond exactement à un autre par sa nature, sa forme ou son état.

Word origin

Old French mesme evolved into French même from Late Latin metipsimus, a strengthened form of ipse that shifted from self-emphasis to identity.

Usage tips

  • The plural form is les mêmes, but the final s is silent, so the singular and plural forms sound alike apart from the article.

Other meanings

  • evenadverb
  • exactlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word