You've finally said it. Or maybe they said it first. The air in that little bistro in Le Marais is thick with the scent of butter and expensive perfume, your heart is thumping against your ribs like a trapped bird, and now the ball is in your court. You need to know how to say i love you too in french before the silence gets weird.
Most people just trip over their tongue and mumble something that sounds like "Moo-ah oh-she." It’s fine. It works. But French is a language of nuance, a linguistic minefield where saying the right thing with the wrong vibe can make you sound like a textbook or, worse, a person who doesn't actually mean it.
The Standard Answer: Moi Aussi
The most direct way to respond to Je t'aime is Moi aussi. Literally, this translates to "Me also" or "Me too." It is the workhorse of French affection. It’s safe. It’s reliable. If you’re panicking, use this.
But here’s the thing about Moi aussi. It can feel a bit... short. If someone pours their heart out and you just hit them with a two-word "ditto," it might land a little flat. Imagine someone writing you a poem and you replying with a thumbs-up emoji. It’s not wrong, but it’s not exactly Shakespearean.
To make it feel more authentic, you’ve got to nail the pronunciation. Don’t over-pronounce the "s" in aussi like a hiss. It’s a soft, quick sound. Mwa oh-see. Simple.
Moving Beyond the Basics: Je T’aime Aussi
If you want to mirror their energy, you say Je t’aime aussi. This is the full version of how to say i love you too in french. By repeating the verb aimer, you’re reinforcing the emotion. You aren't just agreeing with their statement; you’re making your own.
French grammar is picky about where that "too" goes. In English, we put it at the very end. In French, aussi usually tucks itself right after the verb.
- Person A: Je t'aime. (I love you.)
- Person B: Je t'aime aussi. (I love you too.)
It sounds rhythmic. It sounds intentional. Honestly, it’s the gold standard for a reason.
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The Nuance of "Aimer"
We need to talk about the verb aimer for a second because French is weirdly stingy with it. In English, I love my wife, I love pizza, and I love that new Netflix show. In French, if you say J'aime la pizza, it means you like it. If you say Je t'aime to a person, it means you are in love with them.
However—and this is where learners get tripped up—if you add an adverb like bien or beaucoup, you actually downgrade the meaning. Je t'aime beaucoup sounds like "I like you a lot" or "I love you as a friend." It’s the ultimate "friendzone" phrase in France. So, when figuring out how to say i love you too in french, don’t try to be "extra" by adding beaucoup unless you’re trying to tell someone you just want to be pals. Keep it simple. Je t'aime aussi. Period.
Getting Fancy with It: More Romantic Alternatives
Sometimes "me too" doesn't cut it. Maybe you're at that stage where everything feels like a French New Wave cinema scene. You want something with more weight.
You could try Moi non plus... je ne peux pas vivre sans toi. Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. But a very common, high-level way to respond is:
Et moi, je t'aime encore plus. (And me, I love you even more.)
It’s a bit of a playful competition. It’s what couples say when they’re being adorable and slightly annoying to everyone else in the room. You’re not just reciprocating; you’re raising the stakes.
Another subtle variation is Pareillement. This is more formal, almost like saying "Likewise." You probably wouldn't use this with a spouse, but you might hear it in more reserved or older circles. It feels a bit stiff, though. Use it if you’re trying to be quirky or if you’re actually a 19th-century aristocrat.
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Why the Context Changes Everything
French culture treats "The Big L Word" differently than Americans do. In the States, we say it to our friends, our dogs, and the barista who gives us a free refill. In France, Je t'aime is heavy. It's a declaration.
Because it’s so heavy, the response matters. If you’re responding to a family member, Moi aussi is perfectly fine. If you’re responding to a romantic partner of five years, you might want to use their name or a "petit nom" (a nickname).
- Moi aussi, mon cœur. (Me too, my heart.)
- Je t'aime aussi, mon chéri / ma chérie. (I love you too, my darling.)
Adding that little endearment at the end softens the phrase and makes it feel less like a programmed response and more like a real human connection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Like the Plague
Don't say Je t'aime trop. In English, "I love you too much" sounds like a compliment. In French, trop can imply an excess that is negative. It sounds like your love is a burden or a medical condition.
Also, watch out for Moi de même. It’s another way to say "the same for me," but it’s so formal it’s almost clinical. It’s what you say when someone says "Have a nice day" at the bank. It is definitely not how to say i love you too in french when there are candles lit and wine poured.
And for the love of all things holy, watch your "tu" and "vous." If you are at the stage where you are saying "I love you," you should be using tu. If you respond with Je vous aime aussi, you are either talking to a group of people or you have a very strange, very formal relationship with your partner.
The Phonetic Trap
French is a language of vowels. The "u" sound in tu doesn't exist in English. To make it, you shape your lips like you're going to say "oo" but you actually say "ee." If you get it wrong and say Je t'aime, but it sounds like Je t'aime with a flat "e," you might be saying something else entirely.
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Actually, the most common mistake is people saying Je t'aime to their friends and then getting confused when the room goes silent. If you love a friend, use Je t'aime bien. If you love a lover, use Je t'aime. When you respond to a lover, use Je t'aime aussi.
What the Experts Say (Literally)
Camille Chevalier-Bofill, a well-known French language expert and creator of French Today, often emphasizes that French is about the liaison and the rhythm. When you say Je t'aime aussi, the "m" of aime flows into the "a" of aussi. It should be one fluid movement of air. No stops. No staccato.
Zhe-tem-oh-see. That’s the sound of someone who knows what they’re doing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Romantic Encounter
If you’re worried about forgetting this in the heat of the moment, keep these three tiers in your head:
- The Safety Net: Moi aussi. Use this if your brain freezes.
- The Romantic Standard: Je t'aime aussi. Use this for 90% of situations.
- The Extra Mile: Je t'aime encore plus, mon amour. Use this when you want to be a bit of a flirt.
Practicing the "u" sound in private is also a good idea. Put your finger in front of your lips, pout like you're about to whistle, and try to say "eee." That’s the "tu" you need.
The most important thing isn't the perfect accent. It's the eye contact. The French are big on eye contact. If you look them in the eye and say Moi aussi, you've won. You don't need a degree from the Sorbonne to communicate love. You just need the right two words and the courage to say them without overthinking the grammar.
Next time you find yourself in a romantic spot in Paris—or just on your couch with someone special—you’re ready. No more "ditto." No more awkward nodding. Just pure, effortless French.
Next Steps for Mastery
- Record yourself saying Je t'aime aussi on your phone and play it back. Does it sound like a fluid sentence or three separate words? Aim for the fluid version.
- Learn one "petit nom" to add to the end. Mon chou (my cabbage/pastry) is a classic, even if it sounds weird in English.
- Watch a French film (like Amélie or Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and listen specifically for how characters reciprocate affection. Notice the speed and the breathiness of the delivery.