Anch’io vs. anche a me: the difference
“Anche” means “too.”
“Anch’io” means “me too.”
So, what does ‘anche a me’ mean? It means “also me too.”
Nonetheless, “anch’io” and “anche a me” can’t be used interchangeably.
Why?
“Anche a me” is used only with verbs that introduce an indirect object (from which the “a me” originates).
Which verbs fall into this category?
- piacere – to like
- mancare – to miss
- succedere – to happen
- basta – to be enough
- servire – to need
Let’s see a few examples,
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ti piace la birra? | Do you like beer? | Is beer pleasant to you? |
| Sì, e a te? | Yes, and you? | Yes, and to you? |
| Anche a me | Me too. | To me too |
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mi manca l’Italia | I miss Italy | Italy is missing to me. |
| Anche a me | Me too. | To me too |
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Mi serve un ombrello | I need an umbrella | An umbrella is necessary to me |
| Anche a me | Me too. | To me too |
All the other verbs would use “anch’io”.
For instance,
- Prendo una birra – I’ll have a beer
- Anch’io – me too
- Vado in piazza – I’m going to the piazza
- Anche io – me too
Neanch’io vs. Neanche a me: The Difference
“Neanche” means “not even.”
“Neanch’io” means “me neither.”
And “neanche a me” means “me neither, too.”
They are all used in negative phrases.
Just like “anch’io” and “anche a me,” “neanch’io” and “neanche a me” can’t be interchanged.
“Neanch’io” is used with intransitive verbs that take an indirect object (such as “piacere,” “mancare,” “sembrare,” “interessare,” “bastare,” etc.).
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Non mi piace la birra | I don’t like beer | Beer is not pleasant to me |
| Neanche a me | Me neither | To me neither |
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Non mi mancano le lezioni di italiano | I don’t miss my Italian classes | My Italian classes are not missing to me |
| Neanche a me | Me neither | To me neither |
| Italian | English | Literal Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ti servono questi documenti? | Do you need these files? | Are these files necessary to you? |
| No. E a te? | No, do you? | No, and to you? |
| Neanche a me | Me neither | To me neither |
Neanch’io is used for all the other verbs.
- Oggi non vado a lavoro. – I’m not going to work today.
- Neanch’io – me neither
- Non bevo caffè – I don’t drink coffee
- Neanch’io – me neither
The best way to learn how to use ‘anche a me’ or ‘neanche a me‘ is by memorizing the verbs that usually trigger their use.
List of the most common verbs triggering the use of ‘anche a me’ or ‘neanche a me’
- piacere – to like, to enjoy
- interessare – to be interested
- sembrare – to seem
- succedere – to happen
- servire – to need
- dare fastidio – to bother
- importare – to care
For example,
- Mi interessa la politica – I’m interested in politics
- Anche a me – me too
- Non mi importa – I don’t care
- Neanche a me – me neither
- Non mi da fastidio il rumore del traffico – I’m not bothered by the traffic noise
- Neanche a me – me neither
