J'aime vs J'aime bien

I understand that the 'bien' is like adding a little emphasis to your statement.
But is it always expected? Or, is there something wrong without it? E.g.

J'aime observer les oiseaux.

Merci,
Mitchell

Question

J'aime vs J'aime bien

I understand that the 'bien' is like adding a little emphasis to your statement.
But is it always expected?   Or, is there something wrong without it?  E.g.

J'aime observer les oiseaux.

Merci,
Mitchell

Answer

In general, with the verb aimer, the more you add, the more you are watering it down. So j'aime is stronger then j'aime bien.

So that's why you would say je t'aime to a romantic interest and never je t'aime bien

J'aime means I like, but j'aime bien means you like, but not as intensely, like you think it's not bad.

Answer

As Sufia has explained. Aimer means to love, but aimer bien just means to like.