
Take the fastest path to fluent French
Just like in English we have 'I' and 'me' (but note, only 'you'), French uses these so-called singular Stress Pronouns.
Learn how to use stress pronouns in French
Subject Pronoun | Stress Pronoun |
je I |
moi me |
tu you |
toi you |
il he |
lui him |
elle she |
elle her |
Note : elle is the same in both.
Simple uses of Stress pronouns
- extra emphasis
Moi, je m'appelle Tim.Me, my name is Tim.
Je veux une glace au chocolat mais elle, elle veut une glace à la vanille.I want a chocolate ice cream but she wants a vanilla ice cream.
Et toi, comment tu vas ?And you, how are you?
Note that in English, you would usually use intonation to mark emphasis.
- single word responses
Qui veut un cadeau ? Moi ! Moi !Who wants a present? - Me! - Me!
Lui ? Vraiment ?Him? Really?
Qui est ta copine ? - Elle.Who is your girlfriend? - She is.
- very simple sentences
Toi aussi !You too!
Non, pas elle !No, not her!
C'est lui !It's him!
See also the plural stress pronouns: Nous/vous/eux/elles = Us/you/them - simple cases (French Stress Pronouns)
and the more advanced lesson Moi/toi/lui/elle/soi/nous/vous/eux/elles - advanced usages (French Stress Pronouns)
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources

literally: Yes, it's you the liar!