j'aime les chiens
To say I like dogs in French, use j'aime les chiens. It expresses a general fondness for dogs.
j'aime les chiens talks about dogs in general. The verb aimer can mean both to like and to love, depending on context.
What does it mean word for word?
j'aime means I like, and les chiens means the dogs.
Which one should you use?
In everyday speech, Moi, j'adore les chiens! means I love dogs! And is warmer. J'apprécie les chiens. is a more formal way to say you like them. J'aime trop les chiens! is a casual way to say you really like dogs.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a general liking for a kind of animal, French uses the definite article les before the noun. Using the singular instead would point to one specific dog or to the idea of a dog.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often drop the article and say j'aime chiens. Keep les and say j'aime les chiens.
Did you know?
- While j'aime can mean both 'I like' and 'I love', French speakers often add bien to say j'aime bien when they specifically want to mean 'I like' without the romantic or deep intensity of love.
- In France, the word chien is often used in the expression un temps de chien, which describes terrible, rainy weather.
- Saying j'aime le chien in the singular does not refer to a specific pet, but expresses an appreciation for the dog as a philosophical concept or species.
Examples in context
- J'aime les chiens.I like dogs.This is the phrase on its own as a complete sentence.Tatoeba #7555 by sacredceltic, translation #252245 by CK
- J'aime les chiens et ma sœur aime les chats.I like dogs and my sister likes cats.Here j'aime les chiens is contrasted with a sister who likes cats.Tatoeba #542561 by Thierry, translation #765973 by Angela
- Moi j'aime les chiens, mais ma sœur aime les chats.I like dogs, but my sister likes cats.Starting with Moi puts extra stress on the speaker.Tatoeba #476792 by mamat, translation #257237 by mamat
- Moi, j'adore les chiens! J'en ai même deux, un Beagle et un Berger Allemand.I love dogs! I even have two, a Beagle and a German Shepherd.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are walking in a park.
- LéaRegarde ce petit chien !Look at that little dog!
- LucasIl est mignon, mais j'aime les chiens de grande taille.He is cute, but I like big dogs.
- LéaMoi, j'aime les chiens, surtout les petits.Me, I like dogs, especially little ones.
- LucasOn est d'accord sur ce point.We agree on that point.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
