1 - To say to like or enjoy something or someone, use the verb Aimer with an adverb.
Let's see how to talk about feelings from total dislike to great friendship, keeping it all on a friendship level.
Je déteste Paul - I hate Paul
Je n’aime pas Paul - I don't like Paul
Je n’aime pas beaucoup Paul - I don't like Paul much
J’aime assez Paul - I kind of like Paul - he is Ok with me - it's rather positive
J’aime bien Paul - I like Paul - this is the one you need to memorize to say "like" for friendship
J’aime beaucoup Paul - I really like Paul, I'm fond of him - as a friend.
J’adore Paul - I loooooove Paul (but still as a friend)
2 - When you use the construction Aimer + person’s name, without any adverb, it means that you are in love with that person.
Compare :
J’aime Paul - I am in love with Paul (love)
J’aime beaucoup Paul - I like Paul a lot (friend)
3 - Exception
You can use aimer without an adverb with your immediate family (parents, siblings, children, pets) to say that you love them (not that you are in love with them), but NEVER with your friends.
4 - Note
Je l'aime - I am in love with him and I am in love with her.
Je l'aime bien - I like him/her
"If someone asks "Est-ce que vous aimez le vin?" (do you like wine), you cannot answer "oui je l'aime". You have to say "oui, j'aime ça".
Check out my blog post on French Love nicknames "les Petits Noms d'Amour"
