j'aime les crêpes
The English phrase "I like pancakes" is expressed in French as j'aime les crêpes.
This phrase is used to express a fondness for pancakes. You may encounter variations such as les crêpes sucrées for sweet pancakes, les galettes de sarrasin for buckwheat pancakes or les crêpes fourrées for filled pancakes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase j'aime is a contraction of je (I) and aime (like or love).
Which one should you use?
While you might omit articles in English when expressing a general preference, in French you must use the definite article les to express a general liking for the category of food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Brittany region, you might say J'aime les crêpes bretonnes to mean "I like Breton-style pancakes."
How does it change in a sentence?
To express a general preference for a category of food, the verb aimer is used with the definite article les.
Did you know?
- In France, la Chandeleur is a traditional festival on February 2nd where people cook crêpes and believe that if you flip a pancake in the pan with one hand while holding a coin in the other, you will have a prosperous year.
- The word crêpe is used in English, but in French it describes a wide variety of things, including a type of thin fabric and a specific way of folding a garment.
- If you are in a restaurant and want to express how much you enjoy them, saying j'adore les crêpes is a very common and natural way to show enthusiasm.
Examples in context
- J'aime beaucoup les délicieuses crêpes françaises !I really like the delicious French pancakes!
- J'adore les crêpes sucrées à la confiture de fraises !I love sweet pancakes with strawberry jam!
- J'aime les crêpes au sucre.I like pancakes with sugar.
- Est-ce que tu sais que j'aime les crêpes ?Do you know that I like pancakes?
- Même si je suis au régime, j'aime les crêpes.Even if I am on a diet, I like pancakes.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a breakfast menu.
- ChloéQu'est-ce que tu veux manger, Lucas ?What do you want to eat, Lucas?
- LucasJe ne sais pas, et toi ?I don't know, and you?
- ChloéMoi, j'aime les crêpes.Me, I like pancakes.
- LucasC'est une bonne idée !That is a good idea!
