If you’ve ever stared at a meme and thought, “What in the fruit salad is going on here?”, then congratulations—you’ve officially joined the club. Today, we’re decoding one of the funniest and most unexpectedly romantic visual gags on the internet: the “Do you like lemons?” meme, where a girl says, “I only like 3/5.” At first glance, it’s just a citrusy pun. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find it’s actually an adorable—and oddly genius—way to say, “I like you.”
The Setup: A Lime, a Joke, and a Twist of Romance

It starts simple. You see two images of a lime (yes, not even a lemon). In the first, it’s whole. In the second, it’s missing 2/5 of its juicy self. The question asked: “Do you like eating lemons?” And the reply? “I only like 3/5.”
Now, pause. Take a look again. The punchline isn’t about sour fruit—it’s about secretly sweet feelings. The missing two letters from “lemons” are “l” and “s,” which leaves you with “emon.” And if you pronounce “3/5 of lemon” out loud? You get “I like u.” (L-E-M-O-N → Remove L & S → EMON → “I like u.”) Mind blown yet?
Why the 3/5 Joke Works So Well
Because it’s weird. It’s random. And it’s absolutely genius. In a world full of dry pick-up lines and recycled romantic clichés, this is the kind of humor that makes people stop scrolling and laugh. It’s the type of thing that sounds dumb at first—until you realize it’s brilliant.
Plus, it’s subtle. Instead of saying “I like you” outright (which, let’s be honest, is terrifying), you’re tossing a lime at someone and hoping they understand the math. It’s chaotic flirtation at its finest.
Breaking Down the Citrus Code: Letter by Letter
Let’s dissect this masterpiece of absurdity.
- Lemons has six letters: L, E, M, O, N, S.
- If you “only like 3/5” of them, you’re keeping E, M, and O.
- So you’ve ditched L and S.
- You’re left with EMO—which sounds like a mood, yes—but add some flair and it becomes I like U (phonetic trickery at its peak).
This is how Gen Z flirts. Through fruit and fractions.
Video : math tests be like!! 🤣🤣 (4k memes
Why This Joke Is Low-Key Romantic
On the surface, it’s a meme. Underneath? It’s a clever, low-pressure way to tell someone you like them. It’s not needy. It’s not overly emotional. It’s a funny little puzzle, and if the other person gets it, boom—you’ve got shared humor, a secret inside joke, and maybe even a spark.
It’s like sliding a note that says “Do you like me? Circle yes or no,” but in meme form. The person you’re sending it to has to decode it, which makes them feel smart and special. It’s not “I love you.” It’s not even “I like you a lot.” It’s “I like you 3/5”—which is adorable, safe, and just mysterious enough to work.
Internet Humor Meets Flirting 101
Let’s be real: flirting is hard. And cringe-worthy. But memes like this take the edge off. They let you be playful and silly. They hide your vulnerability behind a lime and a ratio.
What’s even better? If the person doesn’t get the joke, you can laugh it off. “Oops, just a lemon meme,” you say while dying a little inside. But if they do get it and smile? You’re halfway to soulmates.
Fruit Math Is Now a Love Language
We’ve had love letters. We’ve had mixtapes. Now we have citrus-based equations.
This is the kind of humor that thrives online because it’s so unexpected. No one wakes up thinking, “I’m going to express my feelings today using partial percentages of tropical produce.” And yet—here we are.
It’s weird. It’s oddly wholesome. And it makes people feel seen. Because deep down, don’t we all just want someone who laughs at the same dumb lemon meme?
Video : The Importance of Laughter in Our Life
So, What Does She Mean by “3/5”?
She means she likes you. She’s saying it the only way she knows how—through fruit and fractions, wrapped in a joke, disguised as nonsense. And if you’re the kind of person who gets that? You’re probably her type.
Conclusion: When Life Gives You Lemons, Use Them to Flirt
In a world overflowing with overly serious declarations of love and dramatic DMs, sometimes all you need is a lime, a number, and a little imagination. “I only like 3/5” isn’t just a silly internet joke—it’s a tiny act of affection wrapped in wit.
So the next time someone sends you a citrus meme, look closely. They might not just be asking about lemons. They might be handing you a tiny, clever piece of their heart.