Depending on context and whether you use it on its own, the verb aimer can mean to love [something] / [someone] or to like [something] / [someone].
Learn how to use aimer in French
Aimer - to love [someone] / [something]
Used on its own, aimer generally means 'to love [someone]' and 'to love or to like [something]' (depending on intensity):
NOTE that you can also use the verb adorer to emphasise love of something or someone:
-> Here note that adorer does NOT mean "to be in love with", but expresses a strong liking of someone.
When aimer is used in a question about something, it actually means "Do you like ...?" (for someone, it still means 'love'):
Aimer bien / beaucoup - to like [someone] / [something] (a lot)
Note that when using aimer bien, it actually lessens its meaning from 'to love' to 'to like' [someone] / [something].
When you use aimer beaucoup, it means 'to like a lot' / 'to really like'.
ATTENTION: If you wanted to say "I love you very much" in French, you would use a different expression:
Ne pas aimer - to not love / like [someone] / [something]
ATTENTION: You cannot use aimer bien in a negative sentence (ne ... pas) in French. To express dislike, you will revert to using simply aimer with the negation ne ... pas, to say both "not love / not like", as such:
In this case, the context will remove ambiguity.
You can also use ne pas aimer beaucoup to say 'not like much'.
Note that beaucoup will come after pas:
See also Expressing you like something/someone in French with the verb "plaire"
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
She likes her new jacket.
She doesn't like Michel.