tu aimes
The English phrase "do you like" is translated into French as tu aimes.
This phrase is used to ask if someone enjoys or has a positive feeling toward something. The underlying verb is aimer, which can mean both "to like" and "to love" depending on the context of the conversation.
Which one should you use?
In spoken French, a question is often formed simply by using the statement tu aimes with a rising intonation at the end of the sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person, or when you want to be polite to a stranger, use the form vous aimez instead of tu aimes.
Did you know?
- Because aimer means both 'to like' and 'to love', adding the adverb bien to create tu aimes bien actually weakens the emotion. While tu aimes can mean 'you love', tu aimes bien is a much safer way to say you simply 'like' something.
- While tu aimes is used for general likes, French speakers often use the verb plaire to say something 'pleases' them, which changes the grammar of the sentence entirely.
- French has a specific term for the social act of deciding when to switch from vous aimez to tu aimes called 'le tutoiement'.
Examples in context
- Tu aimes ça ?Do you like that?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific thing (that).Tatoeba #6773906 by Micsmithel, translation #371585 by saeb
- Tu aimes le rap ?Do you like rap?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific genre (rap).Tatoeba #4165 by TRANG, translation #2310 by CK
- Alors, tu aimes ?Well, do you like it?This sentence is useful for asking for a general opinion.Tatoeba #3792960 by sacredceltic, translation #64507 by ddnktr
- Est-ce que vous aimez les films d'action ?Do you like action movies?
- Appréciez-vous la musique classique ?Do you like classical music?
- Est-ce que tu aimes les animaux ?Do you like animals?
- Tu aimes les sports ?Do you like sports?
- Est-ce que vous aimez les livres de science-fiction ?Do you like science fiction books?
- Tu aimes danser ?Do you like to dance?
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are eating dinner together.
- LucasTu aimes les pâtes ?Do you like pasta?
- LéaOui, j'adore ça !Yes, I love it!
- LucasEt tu aimes la sauce ?And do you like the sauce?
- LéaC'est un peu trop salé.It is a bit too salty.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
