Aime bien vs. Adorer

Rant O.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Aime bien vs. Adorer

I don't understand when to use aime bien vs. adorer. She likes sweets very much was marked wrong when I picked Elle aime bien les bonbons, but there is some subtle nuance for why that should be adore instead, I just do not see it in the lesson
Asked 6 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Rant,

If you look at the following lesson (including the Q&A section at the end), you will get a clearer idea of how to express liking and loving in French -

https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/how-to-use-aimer-to-express-loving-and-liking-something-someone

Hope this helps!

Rant O.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Oops, I meant aime beacoup above, not adorer! Sorry for the confusion
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I remember that lesson well. It is trying to explain very subtle points, which are difficult to get across in English. One thing to remember is that aimer with people, as in J'aime Luise, always talks about romantic love. With objects, however, aimer simply means "to like" something. In this respect, it is pretty similar to English: I love Luise! versus I love watching TV. The latter has no romantic meaning. The former usually does, but that romantic content is present even more strongly in French.

Adding bien to aimer (J'aime bien Luise) for persons as well as things/objects weakens the statement and would not be interpreted as romantic love but simply as "like". 

Adorer with people depends a bit on context and how you say it. Je t'adore! could be interpreted as an emphasised "I love you!" but also as a "really like" with no romantic connotation. With objects/things it is a stronger version of aimer and also could be translated as "really like".

Rant O. asked:

Aime bien vs. Adorer

I don't understand when to use aime bien vs. adorer. She likes sweets very much was marked wrong when I picked Elle aime bien les bonbons, but there is some subtle nuance for why that should be adore instead, I just do not see it in the lesson

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...