Même can mean "same", "itself", "very", "exact" and "precise" as an adjective, and "even" as an adverb in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2023-10-11

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The word même is extremely common and versatile in French, with many meanings depending on its position and/or context. The best way to understand it is to see it in action.

Learn how to use 'même' in French

Même as an adjective = same / itself / very - exact / precise

C'est la même personne.It's the same person.

Ce sont les mêmes plantes.They're the same plants.

C'est la perfection même.It's perfection itself.

Au moment même où je m'endormais...At the very moment I was falling asleep...

Note that when même is used as an adjective, it agrees in number : même(s). Its meaning can vary from same / itself / very to exact / precise.

Même as an adverb = even

Même ma mère est allée ...Even my mother went ...

Il avait même cuisiné! He had even cooked!

Mes amis avaient même invité mes parents !My friends had even invited my parents!

Note that when même is used as an adverb, it never changes : même. Its meaning in this context is even.

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Examples and resources

Mes amis avaient même invité mes parents !My friends had even invited my parents!

even

Il avait même cuisiné! He had even cooked!

Même ma mère est allée ...Even my mother went ...

itself

C'est la perfection même.It's perfection itself.

same

en même temps at the same time

c'est la même choseit's the same thing