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It is often said that French is the language of love. It turns out that French actually has a peculiar way of expressing the degree of attachment one has to something or someone. Nothing complicated, rest assured, but… aimer ou bien aimer, telle est la question.
J'aime / J'aime bien (to love / to like)
J'aime / J'aime bien (to love / to like)
The verb par excellence for expressing a taste or a positive feeling is the verb aimer.
J'aime la glace > I like ice creamTu aimes les vacances ? > Do you like vacations?On aime bronzer à la plage. > We like sunbathing at the beach.Note two things:
First, the conjugated verb aimer can be followed by an infinitive verb to evoke an activity.
J'aime manger > I like to eat.J'aime dormir > I like to sleep.J'aime faire la cuisine > I like to cook.Second, if the verb aimer is followed by a noun, then it is always accompanied by a definite article (le, la, les).
Nuance
Nuance
If you want to add a little nuance and restraint to your speech, use the magic word bien (well), right after the verb aimer.
J'aime bien nager. > I like swimming.On aime bien le weekend > We like the weekend.J'aime bien les beignets. > I like doughnuts.It's a detail, but it can become crucial when you're talking about someone!
J'aime bien Juliette. > I like Juliet. (Juliet is your friend.)J'aime Roméo. > I love Romeo. (You're in love with Romeo!)Note: As in many languages, the expression to declare love should be used sparingly ("Je t'aime !"). Keep this expression for your loved one, and use lighter terms for those around you:
Je t'aime bien. (sincere, but unambiguous)Je t'apprécie. (a slightly cold, but honest compliment)T'es sympa ! (a little more informal; the word sympa is very common these days)Je m'entends bien avec toi. (You emphasize the closeness you share)Tu me plais (a little biased; you probably have a thing for this person!)Je t'adore ! (You express a feeling of deep attachment. This is a strong expression, but it can be used between very good friends or lovers.)More nuances
More nuances
"je t'aime… un peu… beaucoup… passionnément… à la folie…" To qualify your attraction to something, you can simply add an adverb of quantity right after the conjugated verb aimer :
J'aime pas les carottes. > I don't like carrotsJ'aime un peu les oignons. > I like onions a little.J'aime beaucoup les pommes de terre. > I really like potatoes.Another way to say that you really like something is to use the verb adorer Just keep in mind that, for romantic feelings, je t'aime will always be more intense than je t'adore (even if it's already a lot!).
J'adore le foot. > I love soccer.Il adore le tennis. > He loves tennis.Note: Adorer is an intense verb; it doesn't really need adverbials. Even if it's grammatically correct, a native French speaker won't say "j'adore beaucoup ce livre" (too heavy).
Even more nuance
Even more nuance
One last expression with aimer is j'aime trop (litt. I love too much). This expression, more familiar and exaggerated, can be easily used orally to express strong enthusiasm.
J'aime trop ce film ! > I really love this movie!On aime trop le tiramisu ! > We really love tiramisu!And if I don't like it?
And if I don't like it?
Well, just say j'aime pas (I don't like it).
J'aime pas les lapins. > I don't like rabbits.J'aime pas le chocolat. > I don't like chocolate.J'aime pas courir. > I don't like running.You can add nuance by placing adverbials just after the conjugated verb.
J'aime pas du tout cette série. > I don't like this series at allJ'aime pas trop ce film. > I don't really like this movie.J'aime pas vraiment cette histoire. > I don't really like this story.And just as the verb adorer expresses strong enthusiasm, the verb détester expresses deep disgust.
Je déteste les épinards ! > I hate spinach!Je déteste mes collègues ! > I hate my colleagues !Note that détester is an intense verb, to be used as a last resort. And, just like adorer, it is almost never used with an adverb.
To summarize:
J'aime bien (I like) > interest in something, friendship, passionJ'aime (une chose, une activité) (I like (a thing, an activity) > strong interest in something, passionJ'aime (une personne) (I love (someone) > romantic feelingJ'adore (I love/adore) > intense enthusiasmJe déteste (I hate) > deep disgustTo summarize:
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