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Opinions, tastes & (dis)agreeing
Half of all conversation is “what did you think?” — of the film, the meal, the flat, the news. This lesson gives you the answering kit: how to give your take, love things, trash things (affectionately), and agree or push back like a friend rather than a committee.
The one idea
French friends give opinions directly — disagreeing out loud is normal, even enjoyable. What makes it friendly isn’t hedging; it’s the right phrases. « Je suis pas d’accord, moi » between friends is as warm as agreeing.
Listen first: leaving the cinema
Play it through once, then line by line — say each one back out loud. Notice how fast the opinions fly back and forth without anyone getting upset.
Giving your take
The workhorse is je trouve — literally “I find”. Point it at anything.
“I thought it was great.” The all-purpose verdict after a film or a meal: j’ai trouvé ça + adjective.
“I think it’s a bit pricey.” Un peu softens it nicely.
“I think it’s worth it.” Ça vaut le coup — “it’s worth the trouble” — is a chunk you’ll use constantly.
“Honestly, it’s the best restaurant in the neighbourhood.” Open with franchement and everyone knows a real opinion is coming.
The like–dislike scale
From delight to despair, in the words people actually use. Watch the middle of the scale — that’s where the traps are.
| French | Really means | |
|---|---|---|
| J’adore ! | I love it | |
| J’aime beaucoup. | I really like it | |
| J’aime bien. | it’s nice, I quite like it — weaker than j’aime! | |
| C’est pas mal. | not bad — polite lukewarm | |
| Bof. | meh | |
| J’aime pas trop. | not really my thing (gentle) | |
| C’est pas terrible. | it’s not great (yes, really!) | |
| Je déteste. | I hate it | |
| Ça me soûle. | it does my head in |
Two famous traps
Adding bien weakens liking: « je t’aime bien » is “I like you (as a friend)” — the fastest way to un-declare love in French. And terrible flips meaning with pas:
« C’est terrible ! » can mean “it’s amazing!”, but « c’est pas terrible » always means “it’s not great”. When in doubt, read the face, not the word.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Your reaction toolkit from lesson 2, now pointed at opinions. Pick two or three of each and make them yours.
| You agree | Feel | |
|---|---|---|
| Je suis d’accord. | the plain “I agree” | |
| T’as raison. | “you’re right” | |
| C’est clair. | “so true” | |
| Carrément. | “totally” | |
| J’avoue. | “fair point” (very casual) |
| You don’t | Feel | |
|---|---|---|
| Mouais… | “hmm, not convinced” | |
| Je sais pas trop. | “I’m not so sure” | |
| Pas forcément. | “not necessarily” | |
| Je suis pas d’accord. | the honest, friendly no | |
| N’importe quoi ! | “rubbish!” — teasing, for friends |
🇩🇪 You already own « si »
French has a special “yes” for contradicting a negative — exactly like German doch. « Tu n’aimes pas ? » — « Si ! » (“I do!”). Where English fumbles with “yes I do”, your German instinct fires perfectly: doch = si.
Your turn
Say your version out loud first, then reveal a natural answer and compare.
A friend says « ce film était vraiment nul » — and you completely agree.
Someone asks about the exhibition you saw — you loved it and think they should go.
Your friend wants to book a fancy restaurant. You’re not convinced — it seems pricey. Push back gently.
Admit that jazz isn’t really your thing — but concede that live it’s something else.
Quick check
Pick what a French friend would actually reach for.
They overlap a lot. Je trouve que… = my impression or judgement (tastes, verdicts). Je pense que… = my reasoned opinion. Je crois que… = what I believe to be the fact (« je crois qu’il est parti »). For giving your take on things, je trouve is the safest default.
Don’t have an opinion? The French respect a good dodge: « ça dépend » (it depends), « ça se discute » (that’s debatable), « les deux se défendent » (there’s a case for both). All three make you sound more thoughtful than a shrug.
Three casual ways in: « T’en penses quoi ? » (what do you reckon?), « Ça t’a plu ? » (did you like it?), « T’as trouvé ça comment ? » (how did you find it?). Asking back is half of sounding fluent.