The French word aussi means “also,” “too,” “as,” or “so.” It is an adverb. Its meaning changes depending on context and sentence position.

Meaning 1: also or too

In this sense, aussi adds information. It shows that something applies to another person or thing.

Je suis fatigué. Paul aussi.
“I am tired. Paul too.”

Il aime le vin. Il aime aussi la bière.
“He likes wine. He also likes beer.”

Moi aussi, je veux venir.
“Me too, I want to come.”

Nous avons visité Rome. Nous avons aussi vu Naples.
“We visited Rome. We also saw Naples.”

Tu parles anglais ? Lui aussi.
“You speak English? He does too.”

Meaning 2: as (in comparisons)

Used with que to show equality. Aussi + adjective + que means “as [adjective] as.”

Il est aussi grand que son père.
“He is as tall as his father.”

Elle cuisine aussi bien que toi.
“She cooks as well as you.”

Ce livre est aussi intéressant que l’autre.
“This book is as interesting as the other one.”

Paris n’est pas aussi cher que Londres.
“Paris is not as expensive as London.”

Meaning 3: so (expressing consequence)

Used with que to show a result. Often in the structure si… que or tellement… que, but aussi… que can work in formal or literary French to mean “so… that.”

Il était aussi aimable que tous l’appréciaient.
“He was so kind that everyone liked him.”

This use is less common in everyday speech. Most speakers use tellement or si instead.

Position in the sentence

When aussi means “also,” it usually goes after the first verb.

Je mange aussi une pomme.
“I am also eating an apple.”

Il a aussi dormi.
“He also slept.”

When it means “as” in comparisons, it goes before the adjective.

Elle est aussi belle que sa mère.
“She is as beautiful as her mother.”

When it starts a sentence, aussi can mean “therefore” or “so” in formal writing.

Le train avait du retard. Aussi avons-nous pris un taxi.
“The train was late. So we took a taxi.”

Negative forms

With aussi meaning “also,” the negative is non plus (not… either), not pas aussi.

Je n’aime pas le café. Elle non plus.
“I don’t like coffee. She doesn’t either.”

Il n’est pas venu. Marcel non plus.
“He didn’t come. Marcel didn’t either.”

With aussi in comparisons, the negative is pas aussi.

Ce film n’est pas aussi bon que l’original.
“This film is not as good as the original.”

Synonyms and alternatives

For “also” or “too”:

• également – more formal.
  Je suis également content. “I am also happy.”
• de même – somewhat formal.
  Il a fait de même. “He did the same.”

For “as… as” in comparisons:

• autant – used with verbs and quantities.
  Il mange autant que moi. “He eats as much as me.”

For “so” expressing consequence:

• donc – “so, therefore.”
  Il pleuvait, donc je suis resté. “It was raining, so I stayed.”
• par conséquent – “consequently.” Formal.

Common phrases with aussi

aussi bien que – “as well as.”
Il chante aussi bien qu’il danse. “He sings as well as he dances.”

ou bien… ou aussi – “either… or also.”
On peut rester, ou aussi partir. “We can stay, or also leave.”

et aussi – “and also.”
J’ai acheté du pain, du lait, et aussi des œufs.
“I bought bread, milk, and also eggs.”

pas aussi… que – “not as… as.”
La mer n’est pas aussi bleue qu’en Grèce. “The sea is not as blue as in Greece.”

Summary

• Aussi means “also” or “too” when adding information. Put it after the first verb.
• Aussi… que means “as… as” in comparisons.
• For “not… either,” use non plus, not pas aussi.
• Également is a formal synonym for “also.”
• Donc is the common spoken word for “so” or “therefore.”