Stop Saying “Moi aussi”: More Natural French Responses

This transcript is edited for readability. The French examples follow the video; punctuation and English grammar are corrected. Bracketed notes clarify grammar or the opening joke. They are editorial additions, rather than words spoken in the recording.

00:00 — A reply at a bar in Paris

You are at a bar in Paris. A friend says, “Je n’aime pas la musique.” So, you reply, “Moi aussi.” And suddenly, there is a weird silence. Why? Because you just said the exact opposite of what you meant. [Accuracy note: for clear standard agreement with this negative sentence, say “Moi non plus”. To contradict it, say “Moi si”. “Moi aussi” is the wrong standard agreement choice here; it does not itself mean “Moi si”.]

Most intermediate learners mess this up. Not because it’s hard, but because no one explained how it works. Today, I will show you the simple tricks so you will never mix it up again. Take the quiz at the end to see if you have mastered it.

00:40 — Moi aussi: the same positive statement

Let’s start with the most common one: “Moi aussi”. You use it when someone makes a positive statement and you agree with them. You’re going to understand this perfectly with these examples.

One: “Je vais étudier le français cette année.” “Moi aussi.” Two: “Je suis enceinte.” “Moi aussi.” In textbooks, they will teach you the full sentence: “Moi aussi, je vais étudier le français.” But in real life, natives almost always stop at “Moi aussi”. It’s simple, natural and it works every time.

Native hack: if you want to sound even more natural, you can just say, “Moi, pareil.” It is the exact equivalent of “Same here”, and it’s very common in France. By the way, I’ve made a small cheat sheet so you don’t have to take notes. You can just download it for free from the link in the description. Carrying on.

01:47 — Moi non plus: the same negative statement

What if the sentence is negative? That’s where most people slip up. Let’s look at “Moi non plus”. “Moi non plus” means “Me neither”. It works exactly like “Moi aussi”, but for negative sentences. So, use it when you agree with something negative.

“Je ne vais pas étudier le français cette année.” “Moi non plus.” “Je ne suis pas enceinte.” “Moi non plus.” But be careful with this very common mistake among French students: “Je ne vais pas à la fête.” “Moi aussi, je ne vais pas.” That’s wrong. After a negative sentence, you cannot use “Moi aussi”. You must use “Moi non plus”. [This is the standard agreement pattern for the negative examples in this lesson.]

All right. Now, here is where it gets interesting, because French doesn’t just have “Me too” or “Me neither”. It also has “Not me” and “Me, yes”. Let me show you.

02:52 — Pas moi: a different answer to a positive statement

Now, let’s break the agreement. You use “Pas moi” when someone says something positive, but you don’t agree. For example: “J’adore me lever tôt.” If you agree, you know the drill: “Moi aussi”. But if you prefer to sleep in: “Pas moi”.

Let’s see more examples. “J’aime le chocolat.” “Moi aussi.” “Je regarde souvent la télé.” “Pas moi.” To sound even more natural, you can add a short explanation afterward: “Pas moi. Je préfère lire.” It keeps the conversation going.

But what if the first sentence is negative and you want to say, “Actually, I do”? That’s the ultimate French boss level: “Moi si”.

03:47 — Moi si: contradicting a negative statement

Now, this one’s fun. Use “Moi si” when someone says they don’t like or don’t do something, but you do. Now, let’s go with the examples. Example one: “Je n’aime pas la musique.” “Moi si.” “Je ne bois jamais de café.” “Moi si.” Tip: you can add, “Moi si, j’en bois tous les jours”, to emphasize your point: “I do. I drink coffee every day.”

Last one: “Je ne veux pas sortir ce soir.” “Moi si.” Yes. In English, you just say “I do” to contradict a negative. [The English verb follows the statement: “I do” for liking or drinking, and “I do” or “I want to” for wanting to go out.] But in French, we have a specific word just for that: “Si”. All right. You’ve got all four: “Moi aussi”, “Moi non plus”, “Pas moi”, “Moi si”.

04:43 — The video quiz and extra questions

Now, let’s see if they stick. Of course, you have to use “Moi aussi”, “Moi non plus”, “Pas moi” or “Moi si” to respond. Quick check time. I will say four sentences in French, and you will have only five seconds to say your answer out loud. Then, see if you got it right. Ready?

“J’adore la danse classique.” [You do too.] “Moi aussi.”

“Cette année, je ne vais pas chanter dans la chorale.” [Neither are you.] “Moi non plus.”

Two more: “J’ai besoin de retirer de l’argent.” [You do too.] “Moi aussi.”

“Ce sujet ne m’intéresse pas.” [It does not interest you either.] “Moi non plus.”

Extra question: “Je n’aime pas les festivals.” [But you like them.] “Moi si. J’aime les festivals.”

“J’aime les festivals.” [But you do not like them.] “Pas moi.”

Congrats. Tell me in the comments section if you are a four-out-of-four French master, or if you are a two-out-of-four French learner.

06:21 — The next café conversation

All right. You’ve got the basics down. But if you really want to blend in at a Parisian café, you need to know how French people actually speak in 2026. Watch this next to learn the phrases your textbook is still hiding from you. Click here to watch it. Rendez-vous très vite pour une prochaine vidéo sur Talk in French. Bye-bye.