Placement of même

HopeA1Kwiziq community member

Placement of même

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.

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

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!

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Do you have an example?

ChrisC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thats a very importabt point and should be in the lesson

ChrisC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thats a very importabt point and should be in the lesson

Placement of même

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.

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