French grammar
J'aimerais + infinitif
Talk politely about the job you would like.
From the scene J'aimerais travailler dans… (I would like to work at…)
In short
Polite wishes: j'aimerais + infinitive (I'd like to); ask a friend tu aimerais … ? Not j'aimerai, which means will.
Your turn
Which one goes with I would like to have?
Options: j'aimerais avoir · j'aimerais travailler · tu aimerais...?
Show answer
I would like to have → j'aimerais avoir
How it works
J'aimerais (I would like) + infinitive is the polite way to talk about wishes: the conditional softens it.
Good to know
To ask a friend, use tu aimerais...? The infinitive never changes.
I would like to work j'aimerais travailler
Nuria
J'aimerais travailler dans une grande entreprise.
I would like to work at a big company.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) dans une grande entreprise.
Options: J'aimerais travailler · J'aimerais avoir · Tu aimerais
Show answer
Nuria
J'aimerais travailler dans une grande entreprise.
I would like to work at a big company.
I would like to have j'aimerais avoir
Nuria
Temps plein. Et j'aimerais avoir un patron sympa.
Full-time. And I would like to have a nice boss.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Temps plein. Et (blank) un patron sympa.
Options: tu aimerais · j'aimerais avoir · j'aimerais travailler
Show answer
Nuria
Temps plein. Et j'aimerais avoir un patron sympa.
Full-time. And I would like to have a nice boss.
would you like to...? (tu) tu aimerais...?
Javi
Et quel salaire tu aimerais gagner ?
And what salary would you like to earn?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Et quel salaire (blank) gagner ?
Options: j'aimerais avoir · tu aimerais · j'aimerais travailler
Show answer
Javi
Et quel salaire tu aimerais gagner ?
And what salary would you like to earn?
salary / hours salaire / horaires
Nuria
Avec tes horaires ? J'aimerais dormir, Javi !
With your hours? I would like to sleep, Javi!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Avec tes (blank) ? J'aimerais dormir, Javi !
Options: j'aimerais travailler · j'aimerais avoir · horaires
Show answer
Nuria
Avec tes horaires ? J'aimerais dormir, Javi !
With your hours? I would like to sleep, Javi!
full-time / part-time temps plein / temps partiel
Nuria
Temps plein. Et j'aimerais avoir un patron sympa.
Full-time. And I would like to have a nice boss.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Et j'aimerais avoir un patron sympa.
Options: Tu aimerais · Temps plein · J'aimerais travailler
Show answer
Nuria
Temps plein. Et j'aimerais avoir un patron sympa.
Full-time. And I would like to have a nice boss.
Watch out
J'aimerais (would like, -ais) is not j'aimerai (will like, -ai). They sound almost the same.
Common mistake
Not tu aimerait or tu aimerai here. Tu (Javi demande à Nuria).
Mmm... et tu aimerais travailler avec des amis ?
Hmm... and would you like to work with friends?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I would like to work | j'aimerais travailler |
|---|---|
| I would like to have | j'aimerais avoir |
| would you like to...? (tu) | tu aimerais...? |
| salary / hours | salaire / horaires |
| full-time / part-time | temps plein / temps partiel |
More lines from the story
- JaviMmm... et tu aimerais travailler avec des amis ?Hmm... and would you like to work with friends?
- JaviDans mes boulots, on cherche du monde. Dans les cinq !They are looking for people at my jobs. At all five!