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How to Say ‘I would like’ in French

J'aimerais

zh em-ray

[zh em-ray]

💬 Usage Tip: J' is the shortened form of je before a vowel, so j'aimerais must stay attached to the next word. The ending in j'aimerais gives the softer I would like meaning, not plain I like.

Phrase Breakdown

[zh]

Shortened form of 'je' before a vowel; it means 'I.'

Example

J'aimerais progresser dans mon domaine.

I would like to progress in my field.

aimerais

[em-ray]

would like

Conditional form of 'aimer'; a polite way to express a wish or interest.

Example

J'aimerais rencontrer votre équipe après la conférence.

I would like to meet your team after the conference.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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