A1 Present Tense 13 min read Easy

Liking Things vs. Doing Things (Aimer + Noun/Infinitive)

Follow aimer with a definite article for things, but use the base verb alone for actions.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'aimer' + noun for things you like, and 'aimer' + infinitive for actions you enjoy doing.

  • Use 'aimer' + {le|m}/{la|f} + noun: J'aime le chocolat.
  • Use 'aimer' + infinitive verb: J'aime manger.
  • Use 'ne... pas' around 'aimer' for negatives: Je n'aime pas danser.
Subject + Aimer + (Article + Noun OR Verb-er)

Overview

Expressing what you like is a cornerstone of communication. In French, the primary verb for this is aimer (to like, to love). While it seems straightforward, its correct use hinges on a critical distinction that often trips up English speakers: the difference between liking a thing (a noun) and liking to do something (an action represented by an infinitive verb).

The sentence structures for J'aime le chocolat (I like chocolate) and J'aime voyager (I like to travel) are fundamentally different, and this difference is not arbitrary. It reveals a core principle of French grammar about how preferences are conceptualized.

When you like a noun, French grammar requires you to express a preference for the entire category or concept of that thing, using a definite article (le, la, l', les). When you like an action, you are stating your enjoyment of the act itself, which is achieved by following aimer directly with an unconjugated verb (the infinitive). Mastering this A1-level rule provides a solid framework for using other verbs of preference like adorer (to love/adore), préférer (to prefer), and détester (to hate), as they all follow the same structural logic.

This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of these two patterns, the reasoning behind them, and their practical application.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Pronunciation (Approx.) English Translation
:--- :--- :--- :---
Je (I) J'aime zhem I like / I love
Tu (You, informal) Tu aimes tü em You like / You love
Il (He) Il aime eel em He likes / He loves
Elle (She) Elle aime el em She likes / She loves
On (One, We) On aime on em One/We like(s) / love(s)
Nous (We) Nous aimons noo zay-mon We like / We love
Vous (You, formal/plural) Vous aimez voo zay-may You like / You love
Ils (They, masc.) Ils aiment eel zem They like / They love
Elles (They, fem.) El zem el zem They like / They love

How This Grammar Works

The structure you use after aimer is dictated by the nature of what you are liking. This reflects a fundamental aspect of French grammar: the distinction between a generalized concept and a specific action.
1. Liking a Noun: The Concept Rule
When you express a general like or dislike for a person, place, or thing (a noun), French requires you to use a definite article (le, la, l', les). This is because you aren't talking about a specific instance or a portion of that thing; you are referring to the concept of that thing as a whole. When you say J'aime le sport, you're saying you like the entire category of 'sport'.
In English, we omit the article ("I like sport"), but in French, its inclusion is non-negotiable for verbs of preference.
This rule applies because verbs like aimer, détester, and préférer express a general sentiment. This general sentiment logically applies to the general category of the noun. This is why you must use the definite article, which in this context acts as a generalizer.
2. Liking an Action: The Two-Verb Rule
When you express enjoyment for an action, you use what is often called the "two-verb rule." The first verb (aimer) is conjugated to match the subject, and the second verb, which represents the action, remains in its unconjugated infinitive form (e.g., parler, finir, vendre).
Subject + [Verb 1 Conjugated] + [Verb 2 Infinitive]
For example, in Elle aime danser, aime is conjugated for Elle, but danser stays in its base form. The infinitive danser functions as the direct object of aime. Think of it as 'She likes the act of dancing.' This structure is incredibly efficient, as it avoids redundantly conjugating two verbs for the same subject.
This pattern is universal for any verb of preference followed by an action: J'adore lire (I love to read), Il déteste attendre (He hates to wait).

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly use aimer, you must internalize these two distinct structures. They are not interchangeable. One is for things/concepts and the other is for actions.
2
Pattern 1: Liking a Noun (a thing or concept)
3
This pattern uses a definite article to generalize the noun.
4
Formula: Subject + aimer (conjugated) + Definite Article (le, la, l', les) + Noun
5
Definite Article Choice: The article must agree in gender and number with the noun it introduces.
6
le: Masculine singular noun (le chocolat, le cinéma)
7
la: Feminine singular noun (la musique, la nature)
8
l': Singular noun (m. or f.) starting with a vowel or silent 'h' (l'art, l'hiver)
9
les: Plural noun (m. or f.) (les vacances, les livres)
10
Examples:
11
Tu aimes la cuisine française. (You like French cuisine.)
12
Il aime l'architecture moderne. (He likes modern architecture.)
13
Nous aimons les films de science-fiction. (We like science-fiction films.)
14
Pattern 2: Liking an Infinitive (an action)
15
This pattern is simpler as it requires no article between the two verbs.
16
Formula: Subject + aimer (conjugated) + Infinitive Verb
17
Infinitive Verb: The base, unconjugated form of the verb. It can be any regular or irregular verb.
18
Examples:
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J'aime marcher le matin. (I like to walk in the morning.)
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Elle aime dessiner. (She likes to draw.)
21
Ils aiment apprendre de nouvelles choses. (They like to learn new things.)

When To Use It

Knowing the formation patterns is the first step; knowing the right context to apply them in is the next.
Use aimer + le/la/les + Noun for:
  • General Tastes and Opinions: Expressing your overall feeling about categories of things. This is the most common use at the A1 level.
  • J'aime le café. (I like coffee in general.)
  • Vous aimez la mer. (You like the sea.)
  • Talking About Hobbies as Concepts: When you refer to a hobby as an abstract idea or field.
  • Il aime le football. (He likes football/soccer as a sport.)
  • Elle aime la photographie. (She likes photography as a field.)
  • Discussing Subjects or Fields of Study:
  • Tu aimes l'histoire. (You like history.)
  • Nous aimons les mathématiques. (We like mathematics.)
Use aimer + Infinitive for:
  • Describing Enjoyable Activities: Stating what you find pleasure in doing. The focus is on the performance of the action.
  • J'aime nager. (I like to swim.)
  • Elle aime écouter des podcasts. (She likes to listen to podcasts.)
  • Expressing Habits or Preferences for Actions:
  • Le week-end, nous aimons dormir tard. (On weekends, we like to sleep late.)
  • Il n'aime pas faire la vaisselle. (He doesn't like to do the dishes.)

When Not To Use It

Equally important is knowing when not to use these patterns to avoid common pitfalls.
  • To Order Something: Never use J'aime un café to order a coffee. This is a direct translation from English and is incorrect. To order, use Je voudrais un café or Je vais prendre un café. J'aime le café is a general statement about your taste, not a request.
  • To Talk About a Specific Item You Are Currently Enjoying: The aimer + definite article structure is for generalities. If you are eating a specific croissant and want to say you like it, you would say Il est bon, ce croissant ! (It's good, this croissant!) or J'aime bien ce croissant.
  • To Say You Like a Person (Platonically): This is a critical nuance. J'aime Paul means "I am in love with Paul." To express platonic liking for a person, you must add bien. J'aime bien Paul means "I like Paul (as a friend)." For things, J'aime is sufficient for "I like."
  • With Another Conjugated Verb: Never follow aimer with another conjugated verb. The structure J'aime je lis is grammatically impossible. The second verb must be an infinitive: J'aime lire.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently make the same few mistakes with this structure. Recognizing them is key to avoiding them.
| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J'aime chocolat. | J'aime le chocolat. | The Missing Article: French verbs of preference (aimer, adorer, détester) require a definite article (le, la, l', les) to express a general preference. You're not liking some chocolate, but the concept of chocolate. |
| J'aime du pain. | J'aime le pain. | The Wrong Article: The partitive article (du, de la) means "some." It's used for eating or taking a quantity of something (Je mange du pain), not for expressing a general preference. Liking is all or nothing. |
| Elle aime chante. | Elle aime chanter. | The Double Conjugation: The two-verb rule states that only the first verb is conjugated. The second verb, expressing the action, must remain in its infinitive form. |
| Nous aimons de voyager. | Nous aimons voyager. | The Unnecessary Preposition: Aimer connects directly to a following infinitive without any preposition like à or de. Other verbs require them (commencer à, décider de), but aimer does not. |

Memory Trick

To keep the two main patterns straight, use this simple association:

- Aimer + The Noun = Liking THE thing.

Think of the definite article (le, la, les) as the English word THE. When you say J'aime le fromage, think "I like THE cheese"—as in, the entire concept of cheese. This forces you to remember the article.

- Aimer + To Do = Liking TO DO an action.

Think of the infinitive (parler, manger) as the English "to + verb" form. When you say J'aime manger, think "I like TO EAT." This helps you remember that the second verb is the action itself, in its base form.

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are clean, but real French is more fluid. Here’s how you'll see aimer used in modern, everyday contexts.

- Texting / Instant Messaging:

- Person A: Tu fais quoi ce week-end ? (What are you doing this weekend?)

- Person B: Je sais pas encore. J'aime bien juste rester à la maison et lire. (Don't know yet. I like just staying home and reading.)

Note the use of j'aime bien here for a slightly softer, more casual 'like'.*

- Social Media Profile Bio:

- Parisienne. J'aime l'art, les cafés et découvrir de nouveaux restaurants. (Parisian. I love art, cafés, and discovering new restaurants.)

Note the mix of the two patterns in a single list.*

- Casual Spoken French:

- Franchement, j'aime pas trop le foot. (Honestly, I'm not that into football.)

Here pas trop softens the negative, meaning "I don't like it that much."*

- Mon fils, il adore les animaux, mais il n'aime pas du tout ranger sa chambre. (My son, he loves animals, but he doesn't at all like to clean his room.)

The il is repeated for emphasis, a common feature of spoken French.*

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Aimer exists on a spectrum of preference. Understanding its neighbors helps you express yourself with more nuance. All these verbs follow the same grammatical rules as aimer.
Spectrum of Preference:
| Verb | Meaning | Example (Noun) | Example (Infinitive) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| J'adore | I love / I adore | J'adore l'Italie. | J'adore voyager. |
| J'aime beaucoup | I like a lot | J'aime beaucoup ce film. | J'aime beaucoup nager. |
| J'aime bien / J'aime | I like | J'aime bien la pop. | J'aime skier. |
| Je n'aime pas | I don't like | Je n'aime pas les araignées. | Je n'aime pas attendre. |
| Je n'aime pas du tout | I don't like at all | Je n'aime pas du tout le froid. | Je n'aime pas du tout courir. |
| Je déteste | I hate | Je déteste le brocoli. | Je déteste faire le ménage. |
Aimer vs. Préférer
Préférer (to prefer) also follows the same noun/infinitive patterns. The key difference is that it implies a choice between two or more options, whereas aimer is a standalone statement.
  • J'aime le thé et le café. (I like tea and coffee.)
  • J'aime le café, mais je préfère le thé. (I like coffee, but I prefer tea.)
  • J'aime nager, mais je préfère courir. (I like to swim, but I prefer to run.)

Progressive Practice

1

Work through these exercises to build your confidence from basic recognition to active production.

2

Step 1: Noun or Infinitive?

3

Identify if the following expresses a preference for a thing (noun) or an action (infinitive).

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la pizza → (Thing)

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parler → (Action)

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les chiens → (Thing)

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regarder la télé → (Action)

Step 2: Choose the Correct Article

Fill in the blank with le, la, l', or les.

8

Il aime ___ sport. (Answer: le)

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Nous aimons ___ vacances. (Answer: les)

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Tu aimes ___ histoire. (Answer: l')

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Elle aime ___ cuisine italienne. (Answer: la)

Step 3: Choose the Correct Verb Form

Choose between the conjugated form and the infinitive.

12

Vous aimez ___ (danser / dansez). (Answer: danser)

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Je ___ (aime / aimer) écouter de la musique. (Answer: aime)

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Ils aiment ___ (jouer / jouent) aux jeux vidéo. (Answer: jouer)

Step 4: Build a Sentence

Translate the following ideas into French sentences.

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I like dogs. → J'aime les chiens.

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She likes to read. → Elle aime lire.

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We don't like to work. → Nous n'aimons pas travailler.

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You (formal) like France. → Vous aimez la France.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why do I say J'aime le chocolat but Je mange du chocolat?
A: Because the verbs express different ideas. Aimer is a verb of general preference, so you like the entire concept of chocolate (le chocolat). Manger (to eat) is an action performed on a quantity of something, so you eat some chocolate (du chocolat).
The grammar follows the logic of the verb.
Q: What is the real difference between J'aime danser and J'aime la danse?
A: The difference is subtle and in many contexts, they are interchangeable. J'aime danser emphasizes the action you enjoy performing. J'aime la danse emphasizes the art form or hobby as a concept.
A professional dancer might say J'aime la danse to speak of their passion for the discipline, while a casual person might say J'aime danser to talk about what they enjoy doing at parties.
Q: How do I make aimer negative?
A: You wrap ne...pas around the conjugated verb, aimer. The rest of the structure (definite article + noun, or infinitive) does not change. Je n'aime pas le café. Elle n'aime pas attendre.
Q: You said J'aime Paul means romantic love. Is this always true?
A: In direct person-to-person contexts, yes, this is the strong default interpretation. However, context is everything. You might hear J'aime beaucoup mes étudiants (I am very fond of my students) from a teacher, where it clearly isn't romantic.
But for a one-on-one relationship, the aimer vs. aimer bien distinction is a crucial social and grammatical rule to follow.

Conjugation of Aimer (Present Tense)

Subject Conjugation
Je
aime
Tu
aimes
Il/Elle/On
aime
Nous
aimons
Vous
aimez
Ils/Elles
aiment

Elision with Vowels

Form Full Shortened
Je + Aime
Je aime
J'aime

Meanings

The verb 'aimer' expresses affection or preference toward objects, people, or activities.

1

Preference for objects

Liking a specific thing or category.

“J'aime le sport.”

“J'aime la pizza.”

2

Preference for activities

Enjoying the act of doing something.

“J'aime voyager.”

“J'aime lire.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Liking Things vs. Doing Things (Aimer + Noun/Infinitive)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative (Noun)
S + Aimer + Art + Noun
J'aime le pain.
Affirmative (Verb)
S + Aimer + Verb(inf)
J'aime manger.
Negative (Noun)
S + ne + Aimer + pas + Art + Noun
Je n'aime pas le pain.
Negative (Verb)
S + ne + Aimer + pas + Verb(inf)
Je n'aime pas manger.
Question (Inv)
Aimer + S + Art + Noun?
Aimes-tu le pain?
Question (Est-ce)
Est-ce que + S + Aimer + Verb(inf)?
Est-ce que tu aimes manger?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
J'apprécie ceci.

J'apprécie ceci. (General)

Neutral
J'aime ça.

J'aime ça. (General)

Informal
J'aime bien ça.

J'aime bien ça. (General)

Slang
J'kiffe ça.

J'kiffe ça. (General)

The Aimer Web

Aimer

Objects

  • le café coffee
  • la pizza pizza

Actions

  • danser to dance
  • lire to read
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Examples by Level

1

J'aime le café.

I like coffee.

2

J'aime danser.

I like to dance.

3

J'aime la musique.

I like music.

4

J'aime les chiens.

I like dogs.

1

Je n'aime pas le froid.

I don't like the cold.

2

Aimes-tu le chocolat ?

Do you like chocolate?

3

J'aime beaucoup lire.

I really like reading.

4

Est-ce que tu aimes voyager ?

Do you like to travel?

1

J'aime bien ce film.

I quite like this movie.

2

J'adore cuisiner pour mes amis.

I love cooking for my friends.

3

J'aimerais visiter Paris.

I would like to visit Paris.

4

Il aime beaucoup son travail.

He likes his job a lot.

1

J'aimerais que tu viennes.

I would like for you to come.

2

Elle aime à croire que tout est possible.

She likes to believe that everything is possible.

3

On aime bien se retrouver ici.

We like meeting up here.

4

Il n'aime pas qu'on lui dise quoi faire.

He doesn't like being told what to do.

1

J'aime à penser qu'il a raison.

I like to think he is right.

2

Il s'est fait aimer de tous.

He made himself liked by everyone.

3

Aimer, c'est choisir.

To love is to choose.

4

Je ne saurais dire si je l'aime.

I couldn't say if I love him.

1

Il est aimé de ses pairs.

He is loved by his peers.

2

L'aimer ne fut pas chose aisée.

Loving him was not an easy thing.

3

Qu'il l'aime ou non, il doit y aller.

Whether he likes it or not, he must go.

4

Elle se plaît à aimer les défis.

She enjoys loving challenges.

Easily Confused

Liking Things vs. Doing Things (Aimer + Noun/Infinitive) vs Aimer vs Adorer

Learners use them interchangeably.

Liking Things vs. Doing Things (Aimer + Noun/Infinitive) vs Aimer vs Aimer bien

Learners don't know when to add 'bien'.

Liking Things vs. Doing Things (Aimer + Noun/Infinitive) vs Aimer + Noun vs Aimer + Verb

Forgetting the article.

Common Mistakes

✗

J'aime chocolat

✓

J'aime le chocolat

French requires the definite article with nouns.
✗

J'aime mange

✓

J'aime manger

The second verb must be in the infinitive.
✗

Je n'aime pas le sport

✓

Je n'aime pas le sport

Wait, this is correct. The mistake is forgetting 'ne' or 'pas'.
✗

J'aime le chien

✓

J'aime les chiens

Use plural for general categories.
✗

Aimes-tu le sport ?

✓

Aimes-tu le sport ?

This is correct. Mistake: 'Tu aimes le sport ?' (intonation) is fine, but inversion is formal.
✗

J'aime bien le chocolat

✓

J'aime le chocolat

Aimer bien is weaker than aimer.
✗

J'aime à manger

✓

J'aime manger

Don't add 'à' before the infinitive.
✗

J'aime mon ami

✓

J'aime bien mon ami

Aimer for people implies romantic love.
✗

J'adore aimer le café

✓

J'adore le café

Redundant usage.
✗

J'aimerais que tu manges

✓

J'aimerais que tu manges (subjunctive)

Wait, this is correct. Mistake: 'J'aimerais que tu manger'.

Sentence Patterns

J'aime ___.

J'aime ___.

Je n'aime pas ___.

Est-ce que tu aimes ___ ?

Real World Usage

Dating App constant

J'aime voyager et cuisiner.

Ordering Food very common

J'aime le café noir.

Social Media constant

J'aime cette photo !

Job Interview occasional

J'aime travailler en équipe.

Travel common

J'aime cette ville.

Food App common

J'aime la cuisine italienne.

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💡

The Article Rule

Always use le, la, or les with nouns. Never skip it!
⚠️

Aimer vs Love

Don't use 'aimer' for friends unless you mean romantic love.
🎯

Infinitive Power

You can chain many verbs after 'aimer' as long as they are in the infinitive.
💬

Aimer bien

Use 'aimer bien' to be safe when talking about friends or acquaintances.

Smart Tips

Use 'J'aime' + infinitive.

J'aime le sport. → J'aime faire du sport.

Use 'aimer bien'.

J'aime mon ami. → J'aime bien mon ami.

Use 'J'aimerais'.

Je veux un café. → J'aimerais un café.

Use 'adorer'.

J'aime beaucoup ce film. → J'adore ce film.

Pronunciation

J'aime [ʒɛm]

Silent endings

The -e, -es, -ent endings are silent.

Rising intonation

Tu aimes le sport ↑ ?

Yes/No question

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Aimer is like a magnet: it pulls nouns and verbs right to it.

Visual Association

Imagine a heart icon floating next to a coffee cup and a book. Every time you say 'J'aime', the heart attaches to the next word.

Rhyme

J'aime le pain, j'aime manger, c'est facile à conjuguer.

Story

Sophie loves her cat. She says 'J'aime le chat'. Then she decides to play. She says 'J'aime jouer'. Now she is happy.

Word Web

le sportla musiquemangerdormirvoyagerle cinéma

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about things you like and 3 about things you like to do in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

French people use 'aimer' carefully with people. 'Je t'aime' is a serious declaration.

In Quebec, 'aimer' is used similarly, but 'aimer bien' is very common for friends.

French is the official language; 'aimer' follows standard rules.

From Latin 'amare'.

Conversation Starters

“

Qu'est-ce que tu aimes manger ?

“

Aimes-tu le sport ?

“

Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire le week-end ?

“

Est-ce que tu aimes les films d'horreur ?

Journal Prompts

Write about your favorite food.
Describe your perfect Saturday.
What do you like about your city?
Compare things you like and things you don't.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

J'aime ___ chocolat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: le
Use the definite article for general preferences.
Choose the correct verb form. Multiple Choice

J'aime ___ (manger/mange).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: manger
The second verb must be in the infinitive.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

J'aime pas le sport.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je n'aime pas le sport.
Negation requires 'ne' and 'pas'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime le café.
Standard SVO order.
Translate to French. Translation

I like to dance.

Answer starts with: J'a...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime danser.
Infinitive follows aimer.
Match the verb to the object. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tous
All are valid.
Conjugate for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___ (aimer) le café.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aimons
Nous ending is -ons.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'aimer' and 'lire'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime lire.
Simple structure.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

J'aime ___ chocolat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: le
Use the definite article for general preferences.
Choose the correct verb form. Multiple Choice

J'aime ___ (manger/mange).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: manger
The second verb must be in the infinitive.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

J'aime pas le sport.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je n'aime pas le sport.
Negation requires 'ne' and 'pas'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

le / aime / J' / café

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime le café.
Standard SVO order.
Translate to French. Translation

I like to dance.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime danser.
Infinitive follows aimer.
Match the verb to the object. Match Pairs

J'aime...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tous
All are valid.
Conjugate for 'Nous'. Conjugation Drill

Nous ___ (aimer) le café.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aimons
Nous ending is -ons.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'aimer' and 'lire'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime lire.
Simple structure.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Nous aimons ____ en été.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voyager
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Tu aimes pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu aimes la pizza.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct version:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vous aimez écouter de la musique.
Translate to English Translation

J'aime la plage.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I love the beach.
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

dormir / J' / tard / aime

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime dormir tard.
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Il aime ____ cuisine française.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: la
Which is the correct translation? Multiple Choice

Ils aiment regarder Netflix.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They like to watch Netflix.
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Est-ce que vous ____ lire ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aimez
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Je n'aime pas de sport.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je n'aime pas le sport.
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Tu n'aimes pas ____ ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: étudier

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

In French, we use definite articles for general likes. It's just the rule!

Yes, you can combine them! 'J'aime manger du chocolat'.

No, it's for general likes too. Context is key.

'Aimer bien' is softer, often used for friends.

Yes, but be careful. 'Je t'aime' is very strong.

Because of elision. Vowels clash, so we drop the 'e'.

Use 'ne... pas' around the verb 'aimer'.

Yes, but that's a different tense (passé composé).

Scaffolded Practice

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2

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4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Gustar

French uses the person as the subject.

German high

Mögen

German has different case endings.

Japanese partial

Suki desu

Japanese doesn't conjugate for person.

Arabic high

Yuhibbu

Arabic has gendered verb forms.

Chinese moderate

Xihuan

Chinese has no articles.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French -er Verbs: The Easy Way to Speak (parler, manger)
Next
French -ir Verbs: Finishing & Choosing (finir)

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