j'aime
/ʒ‿ɛm/
The English phrase "I like" is expressed in French as j'aime.
j'aime is used to express that you enjoy something or have a positive feeling toward someone or something.
What does it mean word for word?
The form j'aime is a contraction of je (I) and aime (like/love). This contraction occurs because aime begins with a vowel.
Which one should you use?
When expressing a preference for an object or activity without the intensity of love, it is more common to use j'aime bien. Additionally, there is a major distinction when talking about people: j'aime expresses romantic love, whereas j'aime bien is used to express liking someone platonically or as a friend.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Je kiffe grave, meaning "I'm crazy about", is a variation often heard in urban areas of France.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒ‿ɛm/
Did you know?
- The slang term kiffer comes from the Arabic word 'kif', which refers to the pleasure derived from smoking cannabis. In modern urban French, it has evolved into a general term for liking something.
- The phrase je kiffe grave uses the word 'grave', which normally means 'serious' or 'severe', as an intensifier similar to 'totally' or 'really'.
- If you tell a French person je t'aime bien, you are essentially telling them you like them as a friend, which can be a polite way to 'friendzone' someone.
Examples in context
- J'aime tes yeux !I like your eyes!This sentence is useful for complimenting someone's eyes using j'aime.Tatoeba #1181978 by sacredceltic, translation #1129796 by ddnktr
- J'aime ça à l'os.I like it very much.This sentence shows how to use j'aime to say you like something very much.Tatoeba #8045112 by marioo, translation #1647 by brauliobezerra
- J'aime du bon café.I like good coffee.This sentence demonstrates using j'aime to express a preference for coffee.Tatoeba #5167489 by sacredceltic, translation #5166593 by CK
- J'aime beaucoup votre travail.I really like your work.
- Je suis fan de musique classique.I'm a fan of classical music.
- J'adore ce film.I adore this movie.
- J'aime bien faire du sport.I like doing sports.
- Je kiffe cette chanson.I'm into this song.
- J'aime ça, les poutines.I like that, poutines.
- Je kiffe grave cette série.I'm crazy about this series.
- 1128 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are talking about a new movie.
- LéaJ'aime beaucoup ce nouveau film.I like this new movie a lot.
- LucasMoi aussi, j'aime l'histoire.Me too, I like the story.
- LéaEt les acteurs sont excellents.And the actors are excellent.
- LucasC'est vrai, j'aime beaucoup leur jeu.It's true, I really like their acting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry j'aime, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
