French · Everyday Verbs
"to like" in French: aimer
aimer
Note: also: aimer bien
To like in French is aimer. J'aime le café means I like coffee. Aimer bien softens it toward like rather than love. With people, j'aime bien Paul is I like Paul; je t'aime is much stronger.
Food preference
J'aime les fruits frais le matin.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce aimer
Say it
eh-MAY
/ɛ.me/
Aimer is eh-MAY. J'aime sounds roughly zhem. Aimons is eh-MOHN. The ai is like eh.
"to like" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| aimer | to like / to love Context decides the strength. | Context decides the strength. |
| j'aime / tu aimes / il aime | I like / you like / he-she likes Present singular. | Present singular. |
| aimer bien | to like (rather than love) Safer for people and mild preferences. | Safer for people and mild preferences. |
| j'aime beaucoup | I like a lot Strong preference without romance. | Strong preference without romance. |
How to use aimer in real life
- 1Food preference
J'aime les fruits frais le matin.
I like fresh fruit in the morning.
J'aime + plural noun for general likes.
- 2Softening about a person
J'aime bien ta coloc, elle est drôle.
I like your roommate; she's funny.
Aimer bien keeps it friendly, not romantic.
- 3Asking a friend
Tu aimes ce genre de musique ?
Do you like this kind of music?
Tu aimes for tastes.
Mistakes English speakers make with aimer
Incorrect: Je like le chocolat.
Correct: J'aime le chocolat.
Use aimer, not English like.
Incorrect: Je t'aime (when you only mean I like you as a friend).
Correct: Je t'aime bien.
Je t'aime is I love you. Je t'aime bien is the friendly like.
Good to know
French learners overuse je t'aime. For preferences, j'aime and j'aime bien do the work. Save je t'aime for romance or very close family moments.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking a playlist for a road trip
ChatPal
Tu aimes la pop française ?
Do you like French pop?
You
J'aime bien, oui. Et toi ?
I like it, yes. How about you?
ChatPal
J'aime surtout les vieux tubes.
I especially like the old hits.
You
Parfait, mets ça alors.
Perfect, put that on then.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to like" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to like" in French
Does aimer mean like or love?
Both. With things, it is usually like. With people, aimer bien is like; je t'aime is love.
How do I say I like coffee?
J'aime le café. / J'aime bien le café.
What are the present forms?
J'aime, tu aimes, il/elle aime, nous aimons, vous aimez, ils/elles aiment.
How do I ask do you like…?
Tu aimes… ? or vous aimez… ?
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
