Kiffer or aimer: how to say what you like in familiar and neutral French

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Compare kiffer and aimer with everyday preferences, pictured objects and a short attraction scene. Practise choosing a neutral version for a different audience.

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In short

Kiffer is a familiar way to say “like”, “enjoy” or “be into”. Aimer is the everyday neutral choice for likes and can also mean “love”. Je kiffe ce film sounds like a chat with friends; J’aime ce film fits a wider range of conversations.

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What does kiffer mean in French?

kifferto like; to enjoy; to be into

Focus: familiar, often enthusiastic wording

kiffer + noun / infinitive

J’ai kiffé ce concert, surtout la dernière chanson.
I really enjoyed that concert, especially the last song.

Je kiffe jouer de la guitare.
I love playing the guitar.

aimerto like; to love

Focus: a neutral verb for preferences and affection

aimer + noun / infinitive

J’ai aimé ce concert, surtout la dernière chanson.
I enjoyed that concert, especially the last song.

J’aime jouer de la guitare.
I like playing the guitar.

Kiffer often adds enthusiasm, but its main difference here is familiarity. For stronger emphasis in neutral language, try J’aime beaucoup ce film or J’ai vraiment apprécié ce concert. Choose the strength you mean. In a job application, J’aime travailler en équipe is a straightforward choice.

Four things to talk about

Can you say kiffer about a person?

Une attirance
  1. Samir

    Je crois que je kiffe Léa.

    I think I’m into Léa.

  2. Nora

    Tu aimerais l’inviter à sortir ?

    Would you like to ask her out?

  3. Samir

    Oui, j’aimerais mieux la connaître.

    Yes, I’d like to get to know her better.

Three useful phrases about a person
FrenchTypical meaningUseful context
Je kiffe Léa.I’m into Léa; I really like Léa.Familiar attraction or liking; the next sentence clarifies it.
J’aime bien Léa.I like Léa.A friendly personal opinion.
Je t’aime.I love you.A declaration of love or affection.

Both verbs go directly before an infinitive: j’aime lire, je kiffe danser. In the past, write j’ai aimé and j’ai kiffé. The verb kiffer keeps its double f: je kiffe, nous kiffons. A change to more neutral wording can keep the same activity, person and reason.

Question 1No account needed
Keep the meaning and make this sentence more neutral.Je kiffe lire le soir.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

J’aime lire le soir.. Aimer takes the infinitive directly: j’aime lire. The evening preference stays the same.

Question 2No account needed
Samir wants to ask Léa out. What does je kiffe Léa express here?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Attraction to Léa.. The follow-up about asking her out makes attraction the relevant reading.

Question 3No account needed
Choose the neutral line for a job application.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

J’aime travailler en équipe.. J’aime travailler en équipe expresses the preference in a neutral register.

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