aimer mieux

French

Etymology

Comparative of aimer bien

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ.me mjø/, /e.me mjø/

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Verb

aimer mieux

1. (literally) to like better
2. to prefer

   Synonym: préférer

   J’aime mieux la campagne que la ville. ― I prefer the country to the town.

   J’aimerais encore mieux ne plus jamais en parler. ― I'd rather not talk about it ever again.

   N’aimeriez-vous pas mieux le voir par vous-même ? ― Wouldn't you rather see it for yourself?

   J’aime bien mieux savoir que de croire. ― I prefer knowing to believing.

   Est-ce que tu aimerais mieux que je le fasse ? ― Would you rather I did it?

Usage notes

• The comparative adverbial element mieux can be rendered superlative (aimer le mieux (“to most prefer, i.e., to like best”)) or modified by certain intensifying adverbs:

  aimer bien mieux (“to much prefer”)

  aimer encore mieux (“to prefer even more”)

  aimer beaucoup mieux (“to much prefer”)

  etc.

• If aimer has a direct-object complement:
  • no preposition or conjunction is needed to introduce a nominal or infinitive verbal complement;
  • que is used to introduce a complement consisting of a subjunctive verbal element or a prepositional locution.
• If mieux has a complement of comparison, that complement can be marked in different ways depending on its contents:
  • que introduces a complement consisting of nominal or pronominal elements;
  • que de introduces a complement consisting of an infinitive verbal element
    • note that de can optionally be omitted, however, this may slightly alter the meaning;
  • que si can be used to introduce a complement consisting of a verbal element conjugated in personal form.