je t'aime ma meilleure amie
The English phrase "I love you bestie" can be translated into French as je t'aime ma meilleure amie.
This phrase is an affectionate expression used to tell a best friend that you love them. While the verb component je t'aime can sometimes be used in a romantic context, when it is used alongside a phrase like ma meilleure amie, the meaning is understood as platonic affection.
Which one should you use?
You might also encounter the phrase Je t'adore, mon pote, which translates to "I adore you, my buddy."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Younger French speakers often use the slang version je t'aime ma bestie in casual speech or text, opting for the English loanword instead of the formal French term.
Did you know?
- To distinguish a platonic 'I love you' from a romantic one, French speakers often add the word bien to say je t'aime bien. Adding this adverb actually weakens the emotion to 'I like you'.
- The word amie originally meant 'lover' in Old French, rather than just a 'friend'.
- Among Gen Z in France, the English word 'bestie' is often treated as a feminine noun regardless of the friend's gender.
Example conversation
Two friends are hugging after a long day.
- LucasJe t'aime ma meilleure amie, je suis content de te voir.I love you bestie, I am happy to see you.
- ManonMoi aussi je t'aime, Lucas !I love you too, Lucas!
- LucasOn va manger ensemble maintenant ?Shall we eat together now?
- ManonOui, c'est une excellente idée.Yes, that is a great idea.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amie, je, ma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
