aimer beaucoup
To really like something or someone in French is to aimer beaucoup.
The phrase is used to express a strong fondness for someone or something.
Which one should you use?
In French, there is a distinction between liking and loving a person. Using the verb aimer alone with a person often implies romantic love. Adding beaucoup softens the expression, making aimer beaucoup a way to express a strong platonic fondness or to say you really like someone without romantic intent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb beaucoup must follow the conjugated form of the verb aimer and cannot be placed between the verb and its direct object.
Did you know?
- The word 'beaucoup' has a strange history, originally deriving from the Old French phrase 'biau cop', which literally meant a 'beautiful strike' or 'nice hit'.
- In French, adding a modifier like beaucoup to aimer actually weakens the romantic intensity of the verb.
- The French verb aimer shares the same Latin root as the English word 'amorous'.
Examples in context
- J'aime beaucoup votre projet.I really like your project.
- J'apprécie énormément votre soutien.I really appreciate your support.
- Je suis un grand admirateur de votre travail.I really like your work.
- J'adore ce restaurant.I really like this restaurant.
- Je suis fan de ton style vestimentaire.I really like your fashion style.
- Je kiffe grave ce pagne traditionnel.I really like this traditional cloth.
- J'aime beaucoup ce film.I really like this movie.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aimer, beaucoup, CC BY-SA 4.0.
