Expressing Likes and Dislikes in French

Romance language.

In this unit, we will explore how to express preferences in French. This is an essential part of everyday conversation, whether you're discussing your favorite foods, hobbies, or aspects of living in France.

Expressing Preferences

To express what you like in French, you use the verb "aimer."

• J'aime le café. (I like coffee.)
• J'aime lire. (I like to read.)

To express what you love, you can use "aimer" with "beaucoup" or "adorer."

• J'aime beaucoup le chocolat. (I really like chocolate.)
• J'adore la musique. (I love music.)

To express what you don't like, you use "ne...pas" around "aimer."

• Je n'aime pas le thé. (I don't like tea.)
• Je n'aime pas danser. (I don't like to dance.)

To express preference, you use "préférer."

• Je préfère le café au thé. (I prefer coffee to tea.)
• Je préfère lire à danser. (I prefer reading to dancing.)

Vocabulary for Hobbies and Leisure Activities

Here are some common hobbies and leisure activities in French:

• lire (to read)
• écouter de la musique (to listen to music)
• faire du sport (to do sports)
• voyager (to travel)
• cuisiner (to cook)
• regarder des films (to watch movies)
• jouer à des jeux vidéo (to play video games)

Discussing Favorite and Least Favorite Aspects of Living in France

When discussing your favorite and least favorite aspects of living in France, you can use the same structures, just with different vocabulary. Here are some examples:

• J'aime beaucoup la cuisine française. (I really like French cuisine.)
• J'adore l'architecture à Paris. (I love the architecture in Paris.)
• Je n'aime pas le trafic en ville. (I don't like city traffic.)
• Je préfère la campagne à la ville. (I prefer the countryside to the city.)

Remember, expressing your likes and dislikes is a great way to engage in conversation and learn more about others. Practice these structures and vocabulary to become more comfortable in expressing your preferences in French.