How to say I Love You in French: A guide to French love expressions
It only seems like yesterday that we were celebrating Christmas, yet as I wandered through the supermarket this morning, the displays of red roses, chocolate boxes, and heart-shaped cards reminded me that La Saint-Valentin (Valentine’s Day) is just around the corner!
Expressing love can be tricky in any language, but if you’re wondering how to say I love you in French, things get even more interesting. What’s more, how will you know if ton/ ta crush feels the same way? Will you be able to work out if they love you un peu, beaucoup, passionnément, à la folie ou pas du tout (a little, lots, passionately, madly, or not at all)?
Understanding “Aimer” – The French Verb for Love
French is a beautiful but nuanced language, especially when it comes to love. Take the verb aimer, for example. It can mean both to like and to love depending on the context. Not ideal if you’re trying to figure out whether your copain or copine (boyfriend/girlfriend) is serious about you!
At school, we often learn that adorer means to adore or to love something. Saying J’adore le français (I love French) works perfectly in everyday conversation. But be careful! If you say Je t’adore to someone, you’ve just friend-zoned them in three short words.
What not to say in French love declarations!
If you want to avoid sending the wrong message, here are some key phrases not to use when expressing your love in French:
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Je t’adore – Sounds affectionate but won’t be taken as deep romantic love.
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Je t’aime bien – This actually means “I like you,” not “I love you.”
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Je t’aime beaucoup – This means “I really like you,” not “I love you.”
Using qualifiers like bien or beaucoup with aimer actually weakens the intensity, making it sound more like I like you a lot rather than I love you.
The right way to say ‘I love You’ in French
If you want to declare your undying love for someone, keep it simple! The best phrase to use is:
Je t’aime – I love you.
This short and sweet phrase is the ultimate expression of love in French.
Want to go even further? You can add:
Je suis amoureux/amoureuse de toi – I’m in love with you.
With this, your chéri(e) (darling) will know exactly where they stand!
A French love song to practise
Fancy immersing yourself in French romance? One of my favourite love songs is Ma déclaration d’amour by France Gall. Why not give it a listen and practise saying amour with the right sultry, pouty lips to master that perfect French pronunciation?
Bonus: Love, Blackberries, or Death? The French Pronunciation Challenge
Ever struggled to distinguish between l’amour (love), la mûre (the blackberry), and la mort (death)? These tiny pronunciation differences can lead to some awkward misunderstandings!
This is exactly the kind of thing we practise in my French Phonics Café. If you want to improve your pronunciation and sound more French, come check it out – we’d love to have you!
Je vous souhaite un super week-end plein d’amour ! (Wishing you a fantastic weekend full of love!)
Key French Vocabulary:
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La Saint-Valentin (Yes, it’s feminine!) – Valentine’s Day
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Ton/ta crush – Your crush (yes, crush is commonly used in French!)
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Mon copain/ma copine – My boyfriend/girlfriend
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Mon jules/ma julie – My boyfriend/girlfriend (informal)
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Tout court – And nothing else
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Ton/ta chéri(e) – Your darling/boyfriend/girlfriend
Have a question about French love phrases? Drop me a comment below!
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