In 15 Seconds
- Use `très même` for strong emphasis.
- It means 'very much' or 'totally'.
- Place it at the end of a sentence.
- Best for casual chats and expressing feelings.
Meaning
Imagine you're feeling something super strongly, like really, really happy or upset. `Très même` is your go-to phrase to amp up that feeling to eleven! It's like adding a turbo boost to your emotions, saying it's not just 'very,' it's 'very, very much so.'
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a concert
Le concert était incroyable, j'ai adoré, très même !
The concert was incredible, I loved it, very much so!
Instagram caption for a delicious meal
Ce plat est une tuerie, très même !
This dish is killer, totally!
Agreeing enthusiastically with a suggestion
Oui, c'est une excellente idée, très même !
Yes, that's an excellent idea, very much so!
Cultural Background
In Ivorian French (Nouchi), 'même' is a ubiquitous intensifier. You'll hear 'C'est ça même' or 'C'est lui même' to show respect or strong validation in social hierarchies. Senegalese French often uses 'même' to ground a sentence, giving it a definitive quality. It reflects the rhythmic nature of Wolof, the local language, which often uses particles for emphasis. In Paris, 'très même' might be seen as 'branché' (trendy) if used by youth who listen to Afrobeats or Francophone rap, but it remains rare in traditional bourgeois circles. Quebecers are more likely to use 'vraiment' or 'pas mal' for emphasis. 'Très même' would sound distinctly foreign or 'African' to a Québécois ear.
The Comma Rule
When writing 'très même' after an adjective, always put a comma before it. It mimics the natural pause in speech.
Know Your Audience
Use this with friends or in Francophone Africa. If you use it with a very formal French person, they might correct your grammar!
In 15 Seconds
- Use `très même` for strong emphasis.
- It means 'very much' or 'totally'.
- Place it at the end of a sentence.
- Best for casual chats and expressing feelings.
What It Means
This isn't just a fancy way to say 'very.' Très même is a punchy intensifier. It screams 'absolutely!' or 'totally!' It adds a layer of conviction. You're not just agreeing; you're *really* agreeing. It’s like saying 'You bet!' or 'For sure!' in a super emphatic way. It’s got that extra oomph.
How To Use It
Pop très même at the end of a sentence. It usually follows a statement of feeling or opinion. Think of it as the mic drop of agreement. You can use it after adjectives or adverbs too. It amplifies the word right before it. It’s perfect for when you feel something deeply. Don't be shy; let your feelings show!
Real-Life Examples
- "J'adore ce film, vraiment très même !" (I love this movie, really very much!)
- "Elle est fatiguée, très même." (She is tired, very much so.)
- "Ce gâteau est bon, très même." (This cake is good, very much so.)
- "Il est content, très même." (He is happy, very much so.)
- "Je suis d'accord avec toi, très même." (I agree with you, very much so.)
When To Use It
Use très même when you want to emphasize a strong feeling. You feel it in your gut! It’s for situations where 'very' just isn't enough. Think of a viral TikTok dance you love. You'd say "J'aime ça, très même!" It’s also great for expressing strong agreement. Your friend suggests pizza? "Oui, très même!" It adds emotional weight. It makes your statement more memorable.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid très même in super formal settings. Think a job interview or a formal speech. It might sound a bit too casual. It's also not for neutral statements. If you're just stating a fact, like "The sky is blue," don't add très même. It needs emotion! It’s also not a standalone word. It needs something to intensify. You can't just say "Très même." That's like saying "Very even" on its own – confusing!
Common Mistakes
- ✗ "Je suis fatigué très." → ✓ "Je suis très fatigué." (This is basic, but people mix up intensifiers!)
- ✗ "Il est content très même." → ✓ "Il est content, très même." (The comma helps with the rhythm. It’s a slight pause.)
- ✗ "J'aime ce livre, très."
→ ✓ "J'aime ce livre, très même."
(Using très alone is okay, but très même adds that extra punch!)
- ✗ "C'est bon, même très."
→ ✓ "C'est bon, très même."
(Word order matters for emphasis. Très même goes at the end.)
Similar Expressions
Vraiment(Really): This is a common alternative. It's slightly less intense thantrès même. It’s a solid choice for general emphasis.Beaucoup(A lot): Use this for quantity or intensity. "J'aime beaucoup ce film." It works well but doesn't have the same rhythmic punch.Tellement(So much): Similar tovraiment. "Je suis tellement fatigué." It expresses a high degree of something.Extrêmement(Extremely): This is more formal and very strong. "C'est extrêmement important." It’s less conversational thantrès même.
Common Variations
Sometimes you'll see très and même separated by a slight pause, often implied by context or a comma. "Il est content, très même." This gives it a distinct rhythm. It’s like a little beat drop in your sentence. You might also hear it used with slight variations in tone. A cheerful "très même!" versus a dramatic "très même..." The context is key!
Memory Trick
Picture yourself at a karaoke bar, belting out a song with total passion. You hit the high note and yell, "I LOVE THIS SONG, VERY EVEN!" The même (even) is like the extra sparkle on your vocal performance. It's that extra bit of flair that makes it unforgettable. So, très même = the karaoke star of intensifiers!
Quick FAQ
- What does
très mêmemean literally? It means 'very even'. But don't get hung up on the literal! It's an idiom. - Is it formal or informal? It leans informal. Use it with friends or in casual chats. Think WhatsApp messages, not a royal decree.
- Can I use it at the beginning of a sentence? Nope! It almost always comes at the end for maximum impact. Like a surprise ending!
- Does it always mean 'very much'? Yes, it's a strong intensifier. It amplifies feelings or qualities. It’s the ultimate 'super' button.
Usage Notes
`Très même` is a powerful informal intensifier, best used at the end of a sentence to add emotional weight or strong emphasis. Avoid it in formal writing or speech, as it can sound overly casual. Its strength lies in its ability to make a statement feel absolute and deeply felt.
The Comma Rule
When writing 'très même' after an adjective, always put a comma before it. It mimics the natural pause in speech.
Know Your Audience
Use this with friends or in Francophone Africa. If you use it with a very formal French person, they might correct your grammar!
The Nod
When saying 'très même' for agreement, give a single, sharp nod. It completes the 'absolute' vibe of the phrase.
Examples
12Le concert était incroyable, j'ai adoré, très même !
The concert was incredible, I loved it, very much so!
Adds strong positive emotion and emphasis to the enjoyment.
Ce plat est une tuerie, très même !
This dish is killer, totally!
Hyperbole to express extreme satisfaction with the food.
Oui, c'est une excellente idée, très même !
Yes, that's an excellent idea, very much so!
Shows strong, wholehearted agreement.
Je suis épuisé après cette randonnée, très même.
I am exhausted after this hike, very much so.
Emphasizes the extreme level of tiredness.
C'est une nouvelle surprenante, très même !
That's surprising news, very much so!
Adds intensity to the surprise.
La vue d'ici est magnifique, très même !
The view from here is magnificent, totally!
Amplifies the adjective 'magnifique' for a travel vlog.
✗ La présentation était intéressante, très. → ✓ La présentation était intéressante, vraiment.
✗ The presentation was interesting, very. → ✓ The presentation was interesting, really.
Shows a common mistake of using 'très' incorrectly or `très même` too formally.
✗ Je très même aime ce film. → ✓ J'aime beaucoup ce film, très même !
✗ I very even like this movie. → ✓ I really like this movie, very much so!
Demonstrates incorrect placement and usage with a verb.
J'ai oublié mon chargeur, c'est la catastrophe, très même !
I forgot my charger, it's a disaster, totally!
Uses hyperbole humorously to emphasize a minor problem.
Je tiens à toi, très même.
I care about you, very much so.
Adds emotional depth and sincerity to the statement of affection.
Ce produit est exactement ce que je cherchais, très même !
This product is exactly what I was looking for, very much so!
Strong confirmation of satisfaction with an online purchase.
Oh, merci beaucoup, c'est gentil, très même !
Oh, thank you very much, that's kind, very much so!
Adds extra warmth and appreciation to a polite response.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct intensifying phrase.
Il fait froid aujourd'hui, _______ !
'Très même' is used here to intensify the adjective 'froid' (cold).
Which response shows the strongest agreement?
— Est-ce que tu es content de ton nouveau travail ?
'Très même' signals a high level of enthusiasm and agreement.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Ce gâteau est délicieux ! B: ________, j'en reprends un morceau !
B is agreeing strongly with A's assessment of the cake.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'très même'.
You just saw a 3-hour movie that felt like 10 hours.
You are intensifying the feeling of the movie being long.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Même vs. Très Même
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIl fait froid aujourd'hui, _______ !
'Très même' is used here to intensify the adjective 'froid' (cold).
— Est-ce que tu es content de ton nouveau travail ?
'Très même' signals a high level of enthusiasm and agreement.
A: Ce gâteau est délicieux ! B: ________, j'en reprends un morceau !
B is agreeing strongly with A's assessment of the cake.
You just saw a 3-hour movie that felt like 10 hours.
You are intensifying the feeling of the movie being long.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn strict, formal French grammar, no. However, in spoken French and many regional dialects, it is a widely used and understood collocation for emphasis.
Yes! You can use it with anything from 'bon' (good) to 'fatigué' (tired) to 'cher' (expensive).
No. 'Le même' means 'the same.' 'Très même' means 'very much so.'
It's more of an informal regionalism than 'slang.' It's common in everyday speech in many parts of the world.
Yes, 'beaucoup même' is also used, but 'très même' is more common for intensifying adjectives.
It's an open 'e' sound, like the 'e' in 'bed.'
Rarely. Quebec French has its own set of intensifiers like 'vraiment' or 'tellement.'
Absolutely! It's perfect for WhatsApp or SMS to show you're excited.
'C'est ça' is 'That's it.' 'Très même' is 'That's EXACTLY it' or 'Very much so.'
Yes, e.g., 'Il est bizarre, très même.' (He is strange, very much so.)
Related Phrases
C'est ça même
similarThat's exactly it.
Tout à fait
synonymCompletely / Exactly.
Vraiment
similarReally.
Quand même
contrastEven so / Anyway.
