pareil
/pa.ʁɛj/
The English phrase 'ditto' can be expressed in French using pareil.
Pareil is used in everyday conversations to mean 'ditto' or 'same'. If you want to use the word in a complete sentence to mean 'it is the same', you should use the phrase C'est pareil.
Meaning: (transitive) To repeat the aforesaid, the earlier action etc (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Pareil is an informal way to say 'ditto'. While it works as a shorthand, the phrase Moi aussi is a more common way to express 'me too' in conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, speakers often use the term pareillement to mean 'ditto' or 'likewise'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to agree with the noun or subject it refers to: use pareille for feminine singular, pareils for masculine plural and pareilles for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/pa.ʁɛj/
When do people say it?
You can use the expression Même combat to express agreement or to signal that you are sharing the same experience or 'fight'.
Did you know?
- The word pareil shares a common ancestor with the English word 'peer', as both trace back to the Latin root for 'equal'.
- In informal French, you might hear someone say C'est pareil to mean 'it makes no difference', even if the two options being compared aren't actually identical.
- In Quebec, you might hear pareillement used as a formal way to say 'likewise' or 'ditto', whereas in France it sounds much more literary or old-fashioned.
Examples in context
- Pareil.Ditto.This sentence is useful for showing how to use pareil as a standalone expression.Tatoeba #10315208 by lbdx, translation #9443615 by shekitten
- C'est pareil pour moi.It's the same for me.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- GabrielJe vais prendre un café noir.I'll have a black coffee.
- EmmaJe prends pareil, s'il vous plaît.I'll have the same, please.
- GabrielTu ne veux pas de sucre ?You don't want any sugar?
- EmmaNon, je fais pareil que toi.No, I'm doing the same as you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pareil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pareil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
