J'adore le gâteau
The English phrase "I love cake" is translated into French as J'adore le gâteau.
Which one should you use?
While J'aime le gâteau means "I like cake", the phrase J'adore le gâteau is stronger and translates more closely to "I love cake" regarding food preferences.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, speakers may use the phrase J'aime ça, le gâteau.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing a general preference or liking for a category of food, you must use the definite article le before the noun. To refer to cakes in the plural, the phrase changes to J'adore les gâteaux.
Did you know?
- In France, gâteau can describe anything from a sponge cake to a savory meatloaf, such as gâteau de poisson.
- While adore means 'love' in this context, its original religious meaning was to worship a deity.
- The word gâteau shares a common ancestor with the obsolete English word 'wastel', which referred to a type of bread.
Examples in context
- J'adore le gâteau! C'est l'œuvre d'art la plus délicieuse que j'ai jamais vue!I love cake! It's the most delicious work of art I've ever seen!
- J'adore le gâteau au chocolat.I love chocolate cake.
- J'adore le gâteau de ma grand-mère.I love my grandmother's cake.
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are at a birthday party.
- HugoRegarde, Emma, il y a du dessert !Look, Emma, there is dessert!
- EmmaOh, j'adore le gâteau !Oh, I love cake!
- HugoTu en veux une part ?Do you want a piece?
- EmmaOui, s'il te plaît, Hugo.Yes, please, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gâteau, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
