How do you say Either and Neither in French?

'Either' and 'Neither' are two of the most important words you'll use. We use them when we want to produce two or more options or statements, or refer to two things already mentioned.

These words often appear as part of what is known in French as a compound preposition, or locution prépositionnelle in French, since 'either' and 'neither' are often followed by 'or' and 'nor', respectively. Check out Lesson 32 of the Complete French Course for an extensive list of locutions prépositionnelles used in French. This blog, however, will look at how 'either (...or)' and 'neither (..nor)' translate into French, and how that changes depending on the scenario and context.

There are a few ways of translating 'either' by itself into French. Note that aucun can be used for both 'either' and 'neither', but is only used in a negative context.

L'un ou l'autre

L'un ou l'autre fera l'affaire. - Either of them will do.

Je ne voulais ni l'un ni l'autre. - I didn't want either of them (see also 'neither', below)

Non plus

Je n'aime pas ça non plus. - I don't like it either

Lequel

Tu peux choisir n'importe lequel de ces deux textes - You can choose either of these two texts.

Ou...ou

This is the most common way of saying 'either...or'. You're most likely to hear this in everyday conversations.

Ou tu viens avec moi, ou tu restes ici. - Either come with me or stay here.

Tu veux du thé ou du café ? - Do you want (either) tea or coffee?

Soit...soit

We can also use soit...soit in the same way as ou...ou. It has the same meaning, but is more commonly used in formal speech or writing.

Le paiement doit être effectué soit aujourd'hui soit demain. - The payment needs to be made either today or tomorrow.

Vous pouvez nous contacter soit par e-mail soit par SMS. - Contact us either by email or by text.

Aucun

Aucun des deux n'est particulièrement efficace. - Neither of them are particularly effective.

Aucun des deux ne me plaît. - Neither of the two pleases me.

Ni...ni

Ni la nourriture ni la musique ne me rendent heureux. - Neither food nor music makes me happy.

Je ne voulais ni l'un ni l'autre. - I wanted neither of them (see also 'Either', above).