j'aime les orteils
The English phrase "I like toes" is translated into French as j'aime les orteils.
This phrase is used to express a fondness for the digits on a person's feet.
Which one should you use?
While les orteils is the standard term for the toes, you may also encounter the more descriptive and colloquial phrase les doigts de pied, which literally means "fingers of the foot".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, when you are expressing a general preference or a liking for a noun, you must use the definite article les.
Did you know?
- Because orteils sounds somewhat clinical, using it in a romantic or flirtatious context might come across as unexpectedly scientific or detached to a native speaker.
- The French language conceptually groups the digits of both hands and feet under the same category of doigts, unlike English which separates 'fingers' and 'toes'.
- If you were to use the verb adorer instead of aimer, you would change the intensity from 'liking' to 'loving' or 'adoring', as aimer can be ambiguous depending on the context and object.
Examples in context
- Permettez-moi de vous dire à quel point j'apprécie les pieds.Allow me to tell you how much I appreciate toes.
- Tu sais que j'aime les orteils.You know that I like toes.
- C'est vrai, j'aime les orteils.It's true, I like toes.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about their unusual preferences.
- LéaDis-moi Nathan, qu'est-ce que tu aimes ?Tell me Nathan, what do you like?
- NathanC'est étrange, mais j'aime les orteils.It's strange, but I like toes.
- LéaAh bon ? C'est vraiment original !Oh really? That's truly original!
- NathanOui, je trouve ça joli.Yes, I find them pretty.
