Je t'aime bien
friendly, light
To say "I like you" without saying "I love you" use Je t'aime bien. The word bien softens je t'aime into friendly liking. It is also called Tu me plais and Je t'apprécie.
Meaning: expression of liking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Je t'aime bien | friendly, light |
| Tu me plais | romantic |
| Je t'apprécie | friendly |
Tu me plais is clearer about attraction. Je t'apprécie is polite and warm, fitting friends and colleagues. Je t'adore is stronger but still lighter than je t'aime in everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
None of these phrases changes with the gender of the person you speak to.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Never say plain Je t'aime when you want to keep things light. French speakers hear it as a serious declaration of love.
Did you know?
- Adding bien to aimer changes its strength a lot, since aimer bien means "to like" while aimer alone means "to love".
Examples in context
- Je t'aime bien, tu es sympa.I like you, you are nice.
- Tu me plais, c'est vrai.I like you, it is true.
- Je t'apprécie beaucoup.I appreciate you a lot.
Example conversation
Lucie talks to her new friend Hugo after a class in Dijon.
- LucieHugo, je t'aime bien.Hugo, I like you.
- HugoMoi aussi, tu es drôle.Me too, you are funny.
- LucieOn se revoit demain ?Shall we see each other tomorrow?
- HugoAvec plaisir.Gladly.
