Today’s lesson will explain the French expressions moi aussi vs. moi non plus. Many students confuse these expressions. Read through the explanation below and you should get it.
moi aussi — moi non plus
Me too, so am (do) I — me neither, neither am (do) I
Explanation
Essentially, moi aussi means me too (so am or do I) for affirmative comments. Je parle français. – Moi aussi. (I speak French. So do I). However, for comments in the negation, to say “me neither”, you must use moi non plus. You cannot use moi aussi to say “me neither” or “neither do/am I” in French where “me too” would work in English. Hence, je ne parle pas français. – Moi non plus. (I don’t speak French. Neither do I).
Example sentences
These first two sentences are in the affirmative. Hence, moi aussi is used for me too and “so do I”.
J’aime manger la glace. – Moi aussi.
I like eating ice cream. Me too / So do I.
J’aime cette chanson. – Moi aussi.
I like this song. Me too / So do I.
These next two example sentences are in the negation. Hence, you MUST use moi non plus to express “neither do I” or “me neither”. While “me too” might work in English, you cannot reply moi aussi for these sentences in French.
Je n’aime pas ce plat. – Moi non plus.
I don’t like this dish. – Neither do I / Me neither.
Je n’aime pas cette chanson. – Moi non plus.
I don’t like this song. – Neither do I / Me neither.
Related lessons
French expressions | Lessons by David Issokson
