How to Say "Not Me" in French

pas moi

The English phrase "not me" is translated into French as pas moi.

pas moi is a phrase used to deny that one is the person who did something or is being referred to.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the negation particle pas (not) and the stressed pronoun moi (me).

While pas moi is used to deny being the subject or object of an action, it is distinct from je ne… pas, which is the standard way to negate a verb.

The phrase uses the stressed pronoun moi rather than the unstressed object pronoun because it is used for emphasis or isolation.

When you say pas moi, you are literally saying 'not a step me'. The word pas originally meant 'a step', from the Latin 'passus'.
The phrase pas moi can be used as a playful or indignant reaction in French cinema to deflect blame, often accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders.
The word moi has several regional variations across France, such as mei in Norman, moè in Picard, and mai in Gallo.

Non, pas moi, mais toi !
No, not me, but you!
This sentence shows how to use pas moi in a contrast between people.
Tatoeba #1269493 by sacredceltic, translation #1268822 by jared1981
Pourquoi lui et pas moi ?
Why him and not me?
This sentence is useful for expressing a question of why one person is chosen over another using pas moi.
Tatoeba #10602647 by AutoBot, translation #3361167 by Hybrid
Pourquoi elle et pas moi ?
Why her and not me?
This sentence is useful for asking why a female subject is chosen instead of the speaker using pas moi.
Tatoeba #10602646 by Nyans, translation #3361166 by Hybrid
Qui a laissé la porte ouverte ? / Ce n'est pas moi.
Who left the door open? / Not me.
Qui veut nettoyer la cuisine ? / Pas moi.
Who wants to clean the kitchen? / Not me.
Qui a mangé tout le gâteau ? / C'est pas moi.
Who ate all the cake? / Not me.
9 more sentences on Tatoeba

Léa and Lucas are talking about who broke a glass.

Sources

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