Je vous aime
formal
The formal way to say I love you in French is Je vous aime, using vous. In daily life nearly everyone, including couples and families, says Je t'aime.
Meaning: declaration of love with the vous form (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Je vous aime | formal |
| Je t'aime | standard, informal |
Je vous aime is used with a person you address as vous, or to several people at once. Today it sounds old-fashioned, literary or very respectful.
Which one should you use?
Switching to tu in love is natural, so Je t'aime is the form you will hear in real life.
How does it change in a sentence?
Vous is the object pronoun and goes before the verb aime.
Did you know?
- In French novels and plays, lovers sometimes keep using vous to show respect even when they are very close.
Examples in context
- Je vous aime.I love you.
- Je vous aime tous.I love you all.
Example conversation
Paul and Claire rehearse a scene from a period play.
- PaulMadame, je vous aime.Madam, I love you.
- ClaireMonsieur, vous allez trop vite.Sir, you are going too fast.
- PaulPardon, je recommence.Sorry, I will start again.
