Tell the truth: how many times a day do you say “anche io”? “Mi piace il caffè.” [I like coffee.] → anche io. “Vado in vacanza ad agosto.” [I’m going on vacation in August.] → anche io. “Adoro guardare i film la sera.” [I love watching movies in the evening.] → anche io. It seems “anche io” is the answer to everything! But there’s a small problem: if you always answer only “anche io”, your Italian sounds a bit flat and repetitive. And in Italian, to say you agree, we have many more arrows in our quiver!
Stop Saying “Anche Io” All the Time
In this guide you’ll learn to replace the usual “anche io” with more natural, varied and context-appropriate expressions — just like a native Italian would. We’ll see how to express agreement neutrally, with enthusiasm, how to show empathy and even how to agree in a formal email. To further expand your vocabulary, you can check out the guide on expressions for agreement and disagreement in Italian. And I’ll also share a little trick to never get it wrong again with negative sentences!
Part 1 — To Express Agreement in a Neutral Way
When you simply agree with someone, without particular emphasis, instead of the usual “anche io” you can use these four everyday alternatives.
1. Idem
A word that comes from Latin and means “the same thing”. It’s super handy, very short and works almost always in everyday speech.
- “Sabato vado in palestra.” [On Saturday I’m going to the gym.] — “Idem! Ci vediamo lì?” [Same! See you there?]
- “Adoro il caffè la mattina.” [I love coffee in the morning.] — “Idem, non riesco a svegliarmi senza.” [Same, I can’t wake up without it.]
2. Pure Io / Anch’io
“Pure” is a synonym of “anche”, very colloquial. And watch out for a little trap: this answer works for positive sentences. After a negative sentence you don’t say “anch’io”, but neanch’io (or nemmeno io). To dive deeper into this topic, you can check out the guide on the double negative in Italian.
- “Sto morendo di fame.” [I’m starving.] — “Pure io, mangerei un panino enorme!” [Me too, I could eat a huge sandwich!]
- “Vado al mare ad agosto.” [I’m going to the beach in August.] — “Anch’io! Magari ci incontriamo.” [Me too! Maybe we’ll meet up.]
- “Non mangio la carne.” [I don’t eat meat.] — “Neanch’io!” [Me neither!]
3. Come Te
You use it when you want to emphasize that you’re in the exact same situation as the other person.
- “Studio l’italiano da due anni.” [I’ve been studying Italian for two years.] — “Come te! Ho cominciato nel 2024 anch’io.” [Just like you! I also started in 2024.]
- “Lavoro da casa il venerdì.” [I work from home on Fridays.] — “Come te, è il mio giorno preferito.” [Just like you, it’s my favorite day.]
4. Lo Stesso / Anche per Me lo Stesso
Super handy when talking about concrete choices, for example when you order at a bar or restaurant and want the same thing as the person you’re with.
- “Io prendo un cappuccino.” [I’ll have a cappuccino.] — “Per me lo stesso, grazie.” [Same for me, thanks.]
- “Io ordino la margherita.” [I’m ordering the margherita.] — “Anche per me lo stesso, ma con doppia mozzarella!” [Same for me too, but with double mozzarella!]
Part 2 — To Express Agreement with Enthusiasm
When you’re not just agreeing, but completely agreeing, maybe with a bit of passion, these are the perfect expressions. To further enrich your Italian, you can check out the guide on expressions to show enthusiasm in Italian.
5. Esatto! / Esattamente!
To confirm decisively that someone has hit the nail on the head. It’s like saying “you’ve nailed it!”.
- “Quindi dobbiamo partire prima per evitare il traffico?” [So we have to leave earlier to avoid traffic?] — “Esatto! È proprio quello che pensavo.” [Exactly! That’s just what I was thinking.]
- “La riunione è spostata a venerdì, giusto?” [The meeting is moved to Friday, right?] — “Esattamente, hai capito bene.” [Exactly, you got it right.]
6. Verissimo! / Proprio Così!
To say that what was said is one hundred percent true and reflects exactly your thought.
- “Il lunedì è la giornata più dura della settimana.” [Monday is the toughest day of the week.] — “Verissimo!” [So true!]
- “Viaggiare insegna più di tanti libri.” [Traveling teaches more than many books.] — “Proprio così, sono d’accordo.” [That’s right, I agree.]
7. Non Potrei Essere Più d’Accordo!
A bit more intense: it makes clear that your agreement is total, at the maximum possible degree. Notice the use of the present conditional (“potrei”), which gives the sentence a more sophisticated and elegant tone.
- “I libri sono quasi sempre meglio dei film.” [Books are almost always better than movies.] — “Non potrei essere più d’accordo!” [I couldn’t agree more!]
- “Bisognerebbe dormire di più e lavorare di meno.” [We should sleep more and work less.] — “Non potrei essere più d’accordo!” [I couldn’t agree more!]
8. Sottoscrivo!
Literally it means “I sign below”, like when you sign a document at the bottom of the page. It’s a very expressive, and also a bit playful, way to say “I agree so much that I’ll put my signature on it!”.
- “Le vacanze finiscono sempre troppo presto.” [Vacations always end too soon.] — “Sottoscrivo!” [I subscribe!]
- “Il gelato si può mangiare in ogni stagione.” [Ice cream can be eaten in every season.] — “Sottoscrivo in pieno!” [I fully subscribe!]
One place to learn Italian
Join the LearnAmo AcademyPart 3 — To Empathize with Who’s Talking to You
Sometimes the other person isn’t expressing a taste, but is venting: they’re telling you about something tough. Here “anche io” sounds cold. Better to show empathy with these four expressions.
9. Ti Capisco / Ti Capisco Benissimo
It directly communicates that you understand how the other person feels.
- “Ho mille scadenze questa settimana, sono distrutto.” [I have a thousand deadlines this week, I’m exhausted.] — “Ti capisco benissimo!” [I totally get you!]
- “Da quando lavoro di notte non dormo più bene.” [Since I started working nights I don’t sleep well anymore.] — “Ti capisco, dev’essere durissima.” [I get you, it must be really tough.]
Watch Out for the False Friend with English
Little trick: don’t translate the English “I hear you” with “ti sento”, because in Italian “ti sento” means to physically hear the voice! To express emotional understanding, you have to use the verb capire, not sentire.
10. So Cosa Intendi / So Cosa Vuoi Dire
You use it to say that you fully grasp the meaning and the feeling of what is being told to you.
- “Quando piove non ho voglia di fare niente.” [When it rains I don’t feel like doing anything.] — “So cosa intendi, succede anche a me.” [I know what you mean, it happens to me too.]
- “A volte studiare da soli è demotivante.” [Sometimes studying alone is demotivating.] — “So cosa vuoi dire, capita a tutti.” [I know what you mean, it happens to everyone.]
11. Ci Sono Passato Anch’io / Ci Sono Passata Anch’io
Very warm: you use it to say that you’ve lived through the same experience firsthand, so you really understand. Remember that the past participle (“passato/passata”) agrees with the gender of the speaker.
- “Cambiare città è più difficile del previsto.” [Moving to a new city is harder than expected.] — “Ci sono passato anch’io, ti capisco.” [I’ve been through it too, I get you.]
- “Il primo mese in un Paese nuovo è dura.” [The first month in a new country is hard.] — “Ci sono passata anch’io, poi migliora, fidati!” [I’ve been through it too, then it gets better, trust me!]
12. Capisco Perfettamente
A slightly more marked variant, that emphasizes a full and total understanding.
- “Sono nervoso per l’esame di domani.” [I’m nervous about tomorrow’s exam.] — “Capisco perfettamente, è normale sentirsi così.” [I understand perfectly, it’s normal to feel like that.]
- “Stasera non me la sento di uscire.” [Tonight I don’t feel like going out.] — “Capisco perfettamente, riposati pure.” [I understand perfectly, go ahead and rest.]
Part 4 — To Share Opinions and in Formal Contexts
When you share an opinion, or when you write a work email and “anche io” sounds too casual, these elegant expressions are the right choice. To dive deeper into the difference between registers, you can check out the guide on formal and informal Italian.
13. La Penso Allo Stesso Modo / Sono Della Stessa Idea
To openly declare that you have the same opinion. Perfect in more articulate conversations, where there’s a real exchange of ideas.
- “Secondo me questo film è sopravvalutato.” [In my opinion this movie is overrated.] — “La penso allo stesso modo, non mi ha convinto.” [I think the same way, it didn’t convince me.]
- “Credo che si lavori meglio la mattina presto.” [I think you work better early in the morning.] — “Sono della stessa idea.” [I’m of the same idea.]
14. Condivido / Sono Dello Stesso Avviso
The elegant alternatives for work and emails. In a meeting you can also use “mi associo”, to align yourself with what a colleague has just said. For more information on how to write a formal email in Italian, check out the dedicated guide.
- (in an email) “Ritengo che dovremmo posticipare l’incontro.” [I think we should postpone the meeting.] — “Condivido pienamente.” [I fully share that.]
- (in a meeting) “Propongo di inviare il report entro venerdì.” [I propose to send the report by Friday.] — “Sono dello stesso avviso.” [I’m of the same opinion.]
Summary Table of the 14 Alternatives
Here’s a table summarizing all 14 alternatives to “anche io” organized by category.
| Category | Expression | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral agreement | Idem [Same] | Quick reply in everyday speech |
| Neutral agreement | Pure io / Anch’io [Me too] | Positive sentences (never after a negation!) |
| Neutral agreement | Come te [Just like you] | To emphasize the same situation |
| Neutral agreement | Per me lo stesso [Same for me] | For ordering at the bar or restaurant |
| Enthusiasm | Esatto! / Esattamente! [Exactly!] | To confirm decisively |
| Enthusiasm | Verissimo! / Proprio così! [So true! / That’s right!] | To agree 100% |
| Enthusiasm | Non potrei essere più d’accordo! [I couldn’t agree more!] | For total agreement |
| Enthusiasm | Sottoscrivo! [I subscribe!] | Expressive and playful |
| Empathy | Ti capisco / Ti capisco benissimo [I get you / I totally get you] | When the other person vents |
| Empathy | So cosa intendi / So cosa vuoi dire [I know what you mean] | To show understanding |
| Empathy | Ci sono passato/a anch’io [I’ve been through it too] | To share a lived experience |
| Empathy | Capisco perfettamente [I understand perfectly] | Full and total understanding |
| Opinions | La penso allo stesso modo / Sono della stessa idea [I think the same way / I’m of the same idea] | Articulate conversations |
| Formal | Condivido / Sono dello stesso avviso [I share / I’m of the same opinion] | Work emails and meetings |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Say Instead of “Anche Io” After a Negative Sentence?
After a negative sentence you should NEVER say “anche io” or “pure io”, but neanch’io (or the variants nemmeno io / neppure io). For example: “Non mangio la carne.” [I don’t eat meat.] → “Neanch’io!” [Me neither!]. If instead the original sentence is “Non mi piace il pesce” [I don’t like fish], the answer becomes “Neanche a me“ [I don’t either].
What’s the Most Used Expression by Italians to Say “Anche Io”?
In everyday speech, the most frequent expressions are “idem” (short and handy), “pure io” (very colloquial) and “anch’io” (more neutral). To express enthusiasm, Italians often use “esatto!” or “verissimo!”. The choice depends on the context and on the degree of agreement you want to express.
What Does “Sottoscrivo” Mean Exactly?
“Sottoscrivo” literally means “I sign below”, like when you put your signature at the bottom of a document. Used as an answer, it means “I agree so much that I’ll put my signature on it!”. It’s a very expressive and slightly playful expression, perfect for informal speech among friends.
Which Expressions Are Suitable for Work Emails?
For a formal email or for a professional context, the most elegant expressions are “condivido”, “sono dello stesso avviso”, “sono della stessa idea” and “mi associo” (this last one very used in meetings). Absolutely avoid “anche io”, “idem” or “pure io” in formal contexts.
Can I Translate “I Hear You” with “Ti Sento”?
Absolutely not! It’s a classic false friend. In Italian “ti sento” means only to physically hear the voice (for example on the phone). To express emotional understanding, like English does with “I hear you”, you have to use expressions like “ti capisco”, “so cosa intendi” or “capisco perfettamente”.
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