Why is it sometimes before the noun and sometimes after when used as an adjective? And I see some patterns in it's placement as an adverb but if you have any advice on that as well that would be great.
Placement of même
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Hope O.Kwiziq community member
Placement of même
This question relates to:French lesson "Même can mean "same", "itself", "very", "exact" and "precise" as an adjective, and "even" as an adverb in French"
Asked 5 years ago
Hi Hope,
The adjective 'même', if placed before the noun means same/identical
Nous avons la même taille en vert = We have the same size in green
C'est toujours la même chose = It's always the same thing
Placed after the noun, it means, itself, very, actual
Il est la générosité même = He is generosity itself (personified)
Ce sont ses paroles mêmes =These are his very/actual words
Not to be confused with the adverb même which means 'even'
Il a même osé me dire... = He even dared to tell me ...
Même s'il revient, je ne lui parlerai pas = Even if he comes back, I won't talk to him
Hope this helps!
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