Talking About Shared Likes with También and Tampoco
Talking about shared likes with También and Tampoco
In this lesson, you will learn how to respond when another person says what they like or do not like. Two essential words are — too / also and — neither / not either.
Use to show that a positive statement is also true for you. Use to show that a negative statement is also true for you.
Using también after a positive statement
If someone says that they like something and you share that preference, you can respond with .
Person A: — I like music.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like reading.
Person B: — Me too.
The expression — Me too. is a common short response to a positive preference.
Using tampoco after a negative statement
If someone says that they do not like something and you share that dislike, use .
Person A: — I do not like singing.
Person B: — Me neither.
Person A: — I do not like coffee.
Person B: — Me neither.
The expression — Me neither. agrees with a negative statement.
The basic contrast
| First speaker | Shared response |
|---|---|
| — I like tennis. | — Me too. |
| — I do not like tennis. | — Me neither. |
The first sentence is positive, so the matching response uses . The second sentence is negative, so the matching response uses .
Using también with singular things
The same response works when the first speaker likes one singular thing.
Person A: — I like soccer / football.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like swimming.
Person B: — Me too.
Using también with plural things
can also respond to a statement with me gustan.
Person A: — I like books.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like sports.
Person B: — Me too.
The short response does not change between singular and plural preferences.
Using también with activities
You can share someone’s interest in an activity expressed with an infinitive.
Person A: — I like dancing.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like listening to music.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like walking.
Person B: — Me too.
Using tampoco with singular dislikes
Use — Me neither. when you share a negative preference about one thing.
Person A: — I do not like basketball.
Person B: — Me neither.
Person A: — I do not like television.
Person B: — Me neither.
Using tampoco with plural dislikes
The same response works after no me gustan.
Person A: — I do not like large restaurants.
Person B: — Me neither.
Person A: — I do not like sports.
Person B: — Me neither.
Using tampoco with disliked activities
You can also share a dislike of an activity.
Person A: — I do not like cooking.
Person B: — Me neither.
Person A: — I do not like singing.
Person B: — Me neither.
También inside a full positive sentence
can appear inside a full sentence to mean also or too.
- — I also like reading.
- — I also like tennis.
- — I also like books.
This is useful when you want to continue the conversation with a complete statement instead of the short response — Me too.
Tampoco inside a full negative response
can also appear in a fuller negative response.
- — I do not like singing either.
- — I do not like coffee either.
- — I do not like sports either.
In these examples, already carries the idea of agreement with a negative statement.
Do not use también to agree with a negative statement
Compare these exchanges:
Person A: — I like reading.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I do not like reading.
Person B: — Me neither.
The polarity of the first statement determines which response is appropriate.
Finding shared interests
helps you discover activities that two people both enjoy.
Person A: — I like listening to music.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like walking.
Person B: — Me too.
Now both speakers know that they share those interests.
Finding shared dislikes
can show that two people avoid the same activity.
Person A: — I do not like singing.
Person B: — Me neither.
Person A: — I do not like cooking.
Person B: — Me neither.
Responding when your preference is different
and show a shared preference. When your preference is different, Spanish also has two very useful short responses.
- — I don't.
- — I do.
Use — I don't. after a positive preference when that preference is not true for you.
Person A: — I like tennis.
Person B: — I don't.
Use — I do. after a negative preference when you have the opposite preference.
Person A: — I do not like dancing.
Person B: — I do.
Another example:
Person A: — I do not like cooking.
Person B: — I do. I like cooking.
The key is meaning, not simply copying whether the first sentence contains no. Use and for shared preferences, and or when your preference is different.
A short conversation about shared interests
Person A: — Do you like reading?
Person B: — Yes, I like reading.
Person A: — Me too.
Person A: — Do you like listening to music?
Person B: — Yes, I like it a lot.
Person A: — Me too.
A short conversation about shared dislikes
Person A: — Do you like singing?
Person B: — No, I do not like singing.
Person A: — Me neither.
Person A: — Do you like sports?
Person B: — No, I do not like them.
Person A: — Me neither.
Combining shared likes and different preferences
Real conversations can contain both agreement and difference.
Person A: — I like reading.
Person B: — Me too.
Person A: — I like singing.
Person B: — I do not like singing.
Person A: — I do not like cooking.
Person B: — Me neither.
This exchange shows that and are used only where the two speakers genuinely agree.
A simple response method
When someone tells you a preference, use this sequence:
- Listen for whether the statement is positive or negative.
- Decide whether your own preference is the same.
- If you share a positive preference, say — Me too.
- If you share a negative preference, say — Me neither.
- If your preference is different, use — I do. or — I don't. when the short response is clear.
From shared likes to expressing preferences with Querer and Preferir
You can now use to agree with positive preferences and to agree with negative preferences, while recognizing when your own preference is different. The next lesson introduces querer and preferir so you can express what you want and what you prefer.
Spanish phrases
A mí también.
Me too.
A mí tampoco.
Me neither.
También me gusta leer.
I also like reading.
También me gusta el tenis.
I also like tennis.
También me gustan los libros.
I also like books.
Tampoco me gusta cantar.
I do not like singing either.
Tampoco me gusta el café.
I do not like coffee either.
Tampoco me gustan los deportes.
I do not like sports either.
A mí no.
I don't.
A mí sí.
I do.
Sí, me gusta leer.
Yes, I like reading.
Sí, me gusta mucho.
Yes, I like it a lot.
No, no me gusta cantar.
No, I do not like singing.
No, no me gustan.
No, I do not like them.
A mí sí. Me gusta cocinar.
I do. I like cooking.