même si
/mɛm si/
The English phrase "even if" is translated into French as même si.
même si is a conjunction used to introduce a condition that does not change the main result of the sentence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of même, which means "even" or "same" and si, which means "if".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgian French and certain African countries, you may encounter Bien que, which translates to "although" or "even though".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, même si is always followed by the indicative mood. This is a key distinction from English, which sometimes uses the subjunctive mood after "even if".
How do you pronounce it?
/mɛm si/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the subjunctive mood after même si. While English speakers often use the subjunctive because they associate hypothetical conditions with it, this is incorrect in French. You should always use the indicative.
Did you know?
- The word même comes from a Latin term that essentially means 'the very same'. It evolved from a combination of 'metipsimus', which is a highly intensified way of saying 'the very same one'.
- Unlike même si, the phrase Bien que requires the subjunctive mood, creating a stark grammatical contrast for the same conceptual meaning.
Examples in context
- Je veux vivre même si je suis mort.I want to live, even if I'm dead.This sentence shows how to use même si to express a desire to live despite a hypothetical state.Tatoeba #9141989 by felix63, translation #11679522 by tieguy
- Même si c'est vrai, cela importe peu.Even if it is true, it matters little.This sentence demonstrates the use of même si to introduce a truth that does not change the importance of a matter.Tatoeba #12526 by Archibald, translation #40794 by Swift
- Même si elle ne vient pas ça m'est égal.I don't mind even if she doesn't come.This sentence illustrates using même si to express indifference toward a person's absence.Tatoeba #12539 by dafp, translation #40692 by CK
- Même si je suis fatigué, je continuerai à travailler.Even if I am tired, I will continue working.
- Je serai là demain, même si le temps est mauvais.I will be there tomorrow, even if the weather is bad.
- Quoique je ne sois pas d'accord avec toi, je respecte ton opinion.Even if I don't agree with you, I respect your opinion.
- Je continuerai à travailler, quoique les conditions soient difficiles.I will keep working, even if the conditions are difficult.
- Lucille sera fière d'elle-même quand bien même elle ne gagnera pas la compétition.Lucille will be proud of herself, even if she doesn't win the competition.
- Je continuerai de travailler, bien qu'il y ait des distractions.I will keep working, even though there are distractions.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing their travel plans for the weekend.
- ManonOn part en randonnée même si le ciel est gris ?Are we going hiking even if the sky is gray?
- LucasOui, même si la météo est mauvaise.Yes, even if the weather is bad.
- ManonTu es très courageux, Lucas.You are very brave, Lucas.
- LucasJe veux juste profiter de la nature.I just want to enjoy nature.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry même si, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries même, si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
