How to Use LIKE and LOVE in Daily English Conversations | English Podcast

What if I told you that one small word

can completely change how people feel

about you in English? Imagine this. You

say, "I like you." But the other person

hears, "I love you."

Awkward, right? Or maybe confusing or

maybe dangerous. Today, we fix that

forever. Welcome to the Focus English

podcast.

>> Hi everyone. Hi Isabella. I'm already

nervous.

>> Hi Henry. Don't worry, we'll take it

slow like a good cup of coffee. Today's

topic is very important for daily

English. How to use like and love.

>> Oh, this is dangerous English.

>> Exactly. And that's why we're here.

Okay, Henry, let's imagine a real

situation. We are sitting in a small

cafe. I have my coffee. You have your

coffee.

>> Of course, I love coffee.

>> Ah, you love coffee. Interesting. Let's

talk. Ready?

>> Ready.

>> So, Henry, how is your day?

>> My day is good. I like this cafe. I love

this cafe. I like I love

I'm already confused.

>> Perfect. That's why we're here. Let's

keep talking naturally.

>> Okay, Isabella, I like your coffee.

>> Good. That sounds normal. Now, what if

you say, "I love your coffee."

>> Yes, that means very very like.

>> Yes. but also stronger and sometimes

emotional.

>> H English is scary.

>> Okay, pause the scene. Let's explain

this clearly.

>> Yes, please.

>> In simple English, like is soft, love is

strong.

>> Like is small, love is big.

>> Exactly. We use like for things like

food, places, hobbies, things we enjoy.

Example, I like pizza. I like this cafe.

I like English podcasts.

>> Oh, good. I like this podcast.

>> Thank you. Now, love is stronger. We use

love for people, family, partners,

favorite things, strong feelings.

Example, I love my mother. I love my

best friend. I love coffee.

>> Wait, wait. You said love is strong, but

coffee is not a person.

>> Great question. In daily English, native

speakers say I love for things they feel

very strongly about.

>> So I can say I love pizza.

>> Yes, that's very common.

>> But can I say I love you to pizza?

>> Only if you are alone.

>> Okay. Okay.

>> Important rule now. Listen carefully.

I'm listening.

>> I like you equals friendly. I love you

is romantic or very deep.

>> Oh, big difference.

>> Yes. If you say I love you to the wrong

person,

it can be very uncomfortable.

>> Noted. Very noted.

>> Another common mistake. You don't say

I'm love coffee. You say I love coffee.

>> No, am just love.

>> Exactly.

>> What about I'm liking?

>> Good question. We don't say I'm liking

pizza. We say I like pizza.

>> Simple. Simple English.

>> Yes. Keep it simple. Now, let's practice

together. Henry, listeners at home,

repeat after me.

>> I'm ready.

>> I like coffee.

>> I like coffee.

>> Good. I love coffee.

>> I love coffee.

>> Nice. I like this place.

>> I like this place.

>> I love this place.

>> I love this place.

>> Excellent. Now, feelings. I like you. I

like you.

>> I love you.

>> I love you.

>> Careful, Henry.

>> I mean English practice only.

>> Okay. New situation.

Henry, you meet a new coworker.

>> Okay.

>> You want to be friendly.

What do you say?

>> I love you.

>> Emergency. Stop. No. No. No.

>> Long answer.

>> Very wrong. You say, "I like working

with you." Or, "I like you. You're

nice."

>> Safe English.

>> Exactly.

Now, another problem. You eat bad food.

Your stomach hurts.

>> Oh, no. You don't say I love this pain.

>> I hope not.

>> You say I don't like this or I don't

like how I feel.

>> So don't like is also important.

>> Yes, very important.

Review quickly.

>> Yes, please. like soft, polite, friendly

food, places, people, friendly.

>> I like pizza. I like you.

>> Good love. Strong feeling. People close

to you. Favorite things?

>> I love my family. I love coffee.

>> Perfect.

>> Okay. Question of the day.

>> Go ahead. Listeners, what do you like

and what do you love in English? Write

one sentence with like and one with love

in the comments.

>> We can't wait to read them.

>> Thank you for learning with us.

>> Take care. Keep practicing and remember,

simple English is powerful English. See

you next time.

>> Bye everyone. Goodbye.