j'aime les lapins
The English phrase "I love rabbits" is translated into French as j'aime les lapins.
This phrase is a statement used to express a general liking for rabbits as animals. While the verb aimer can mean both "to love" and "to like," when used in the context of animals, j'aime les lapins expresses a general fondness for the species rather than a romantic love for a specific rabbit.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, when expressing a general liking for a category of things or animals, you must use the definite article les before the noun.
Did you know?
- The word lapin is used in the French slang expression poser un lapin, which literally means 'to place a rabbit' but actually means to stand someone up for a date.
- If you want to say you love a specific pet rabbit, you would use j'adore mon lapin. The verb adorer is often used for pets to avoid the ambiguity of aimer, which can feel too general or too romantic.
- The phrase j'aime les lapins uses the verb aimer, which also forms the basis of the English word 'amorous'.
Examples in context
- J'adore les lapins, ils sont trop mignons!I adore rabbits, they are so cute!
- J'adore les lapins, surtout quand ils sautent joyeusement dans leur enclos!I adore rabbits, especially when they hop happily in their enclosure!
- J'aime les lapins énormément!I love rabbits enormously!
- Est-ce que tu sais que j'aime les lapins ?Do you know that I love rabbits?
- Comme j'aime les lapins, je veux un petit lapin.Since I love rabbits, I want a little rabbit.
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about pets at home.
- LéaNathan, j'aime les lapins.Nathan, I love rabbits.
- NathanC'est vrai, tu en parles souvent.That's true, you talk about them often.
- LéaEst-ce qu'on peut en avoir un ?Can we have one?
- NathanOn verra ça plus tard.We will see about that later.
