{"id":2544,"date":"2018-09-02T09:42:15","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T09:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/?p=2544"},"modified":"2018-09-02T09:42:40","modified_gmt":"2018-09-02T09:42:40","slug":"i-love-you-in-german","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/i-love-you-in-german\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Ways to Say \u201cI Love You\u201d in German"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hopeless romantics of the world, this is your chance: to finally declare your undying love to the person you cherish the most. In German<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Admittedly, German is not known to be a particularly romantic language \u2014 if you believe common clich\u00e9s, talking Spanish is the<\/em> hot-blooded way to express your deepest feelings, and if you\u2019re more the romantic type, it is supposedly best done in French.<\/p>\n

But saying \u201cI love you\u201d in\u00a0German<\/em>?<\/p>\n

(Wouldn\u2019t that be more suitable for \u2026 yelling at your two-year-old when he\u2019s about to shove a fistful of potting soil into his mouth, for example? I don\u2019t know.)<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s true: German is not exactly the language of love. Yet, there are numerous ways to say \u201cI love you\u201d\u00a0in German, which I\u2019m going to explain to you in this blog post.<\/p>\n

You never know when this might come in handy, so let\u2019s have a closer look at the best ways to say \u201cI love you<\/strong>\u201d in German!<\/p>\n

The different ways to say \u201cI love you\u201d in German<\/h2>\n

It might be a clich\u00e9 about American culture itself, but after moving to the United States from Germany, I noticed a fundamental difference in how Americans approach the word \u201clove\u201d versus how Germans do. Americans are very outspoken about their feelings and what they love<\/em>.<\/p>\n

People love<\/strong> dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, the beach or brunching.<\/p>\n

Friends will tell each other \u201cI love you\u201d in a platonic way and what they love about each other. If you\u2019re from a country that is a bit more reserved (like Germany for example) this might be a bit strange, yet quite a refreshing change.<\/p>\n

Since there are varying degrees of liking or loving someone, the German language offers numerous ways to express your love (or like) for someone or something.<\/p>\n

Ich liebe dich<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIch liebe dich<\/strong>\u201d literally translates to \u201cI love you\u201d in German \u2014 however, this phrase is strictly reserved for your partner or spouse. This phrase is only suitable to be said to a person you are very close with and indicates a great deal of trust and familiarity.<\/p>\n

The reason for this is that Germans usually don\u2019t like to make rash decisions, and only use this phrase when they are absolutely<\/em> sure.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re responding to someone who says \u201cIch liebe dich\u201d \u2014 and if the feeling is mutual \u2014 you can either say \u201cIch liebe dich<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cIch liebe dich auch<\/strong>\u201d (\u201cI love you too\u201d)\u00a0in return.<\/p>\n

So \u2026 you might ask yourself, what if you kind of like<\/em> someone, but it\u2019s a bit too early to say the infamous three words?<\/p>\n

There are ways to solve this conundrum.<\/p>\n

Ich bin ich dich verliebt \/ Ich habe mich in dich verliebt<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIch bin in dich verliebt<\/strong>\u201d translates to \u201cI am falling in love with you\u201d, whereas \u201cich habe mich in dich verliebt<\/strong>\u201d can be translated to \u201cI have fallen in love with you\u201d.<\/p>\n

The differences are, admittedly, minuscule; but try to think of it as a tentative way to express your very strong like for someone. You\u2019re not quite all the way in love yet, but you\u2019re getting there.<\/p>\n

Of the two expressions, \u201cIch habe mich in dich verliebt<\/strong>\u201d seems to be the one that\u2019s a bit more definite, since the development of feelings has already taken place.<\/p>\n

\u201cIch bin in dich verliebt<\/strong>\u201d in some way almost seems to be a bit more tentative, as if the process is still going on. But as I said, the differences are minuscule, and thus oftentimes those two phrases can be used interchangeably.<\/p>\n

Either way, the expression is quite ponderous and vague \u2014 and essentially a placeholder until you are absolutely<\/em> sure you know the person you are involved with and that he\/she is the one you truly love.<\/p>\n

(Does this sound complicated? It kind of is.)<\/p>\n

Example:<\/span><\/strong> \u201cIch glaube, ich habe mich in dich verliebt<\/strong>.\u201d (\u201cI think I\u2019ve fallen in love with you.\u201d)<\/p>\n

[If you feel like being extra vague.]<\/p>\n

Ich hab\u2019 dich lieb<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are looking for a more innocent way of expressing your like for someone, or if you\u2019re talking to a very close friend or a parent, \u201cIch hab\u2019 dich lieb<\/strong>\u201d (more common than \u201cIch habe dich lieb<\/strong>\u201d) is probably your best choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIch hab\u2019 dich lieb<\/strong>\u201d roughly translates to \u201cI like you lots\u201d (if you want to translate it literally, it could be translated as \u201cI have love for you\u201d) and is basically a more platonic way of saying \u201cI love you\u201d in German.<\/p>\n

You can also use it to indicate a romantic interest in someone when you\u2019re not ready \u2014 or too shy \u2014 to say \u201cIch liebe dich<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cIch habe mich in dich verliebt<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Please note: when using it platonically (e.g. when talking to a friend) it is usually women saying \u201cIch hab\u2019 dich lieb<\/strong>\u201d to each other.<\/p>\n

Ich mag dich<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cIch mag dich\u201d is the German way of saying \u201cI like you\u201d. In most cases, it is used in more of a platonic context, but can sometimes be used to indicate a romantic interest, especially when you are too shy to talk about love (yet). Think of the rather awkward teenage stage: this would be the typical time when a phrase like \u201cIch mag dich<\/strong>\u201d can be used.<\/p>\n

Most of the time, \u201cIch mag dich<\/strong>\u201d is an enthusiastic way to express you like someone in a platonic way, for exampl,e because you have the same taste in music or e.g. because he or she is also a huge fan of DC Comics.<\/p>\n

Example<\/span>:<\/strong> \u201cDu bist auch ein Fan von Batman? Ich mag dich!<\/strong>\u201d \u2014 (\u201cYou like Batman, too? I like you!\u201d)<\/p>\n

Du gef\u00e4llst mir<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While not exactly a way to say \u201cI love you\u201d in German, \u201cDu gef\u00e4llst mir<\/strong>\u201d is a phrase that might come in handy when trying to explain that you fancy someone. The expression is a bit hard to translate, the literal translation actually is \u201cyou please me\u201d. This can refer to someone\u2019s looks, but also to their personality if you discover that you share similar interests \u2014 though it is commonly used when talking about someone\u2019s appearance rather than personality.<\/p>\n

Since the translated phrase \u201cyou please me\u201d sounds a bit off in English compared to the German original, I am going to use the translation \u201cI like you\u201d or \u201cyou are lovely\u201d for this phrase as well.<\/p>\n

Just be aware that in German, there is a difference between the phrase \u201cIch mag dich<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cDu gef\u00e4llst mir<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/span><\/strong> \u201cMarc sieht gut aus. Er gef\u00e4llt mir<\/strong>.\u201d (\u201cMarc looks good. I like him.\u201d or \u201cMarc looks good. He is lovely.\u201d)*<\/p>\n

[*Although again, it is probably best to consider who you\u2019re talking about when deciding whether to use \u201cI like you\u201d or \u201cyou are lovely\u201d.]<\/p>\n

German Terms of Endearment<\/h2>\n

What would love be without terms of endearment?<\/p>\n

While a lot of couples in Germany choose to use nicknames for their partner or spouse that no one else is using (kind of like e.g. an inside joke shared only between two people), there are a few German terms of endearment that everyone knows and has probably used at one point in their life.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at some German terms of endearment!<\/p>\n

Schatz<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cSchatz<\/strong>\u201d translates to \u201cprecious\u201d or \u201ctreasure\u201d and is probably the German equivalent to the American expression \u201cbaby\u201d. It is widely used between lovers, but also by parents who refer to their kids as \u201cSchatz\u201d.<\/p>\n

Next to that, it is also used by female friends when addressing each other, especially at a younger age (most likely between the ages of twelve to twenty-five, but sometimes also among older people).<\/p>\n

There are several modifications of the word, such as \u201cSch\u00e4tzchen<\/strong>\u201d (little treasure) or \u201cSchatzi<\/strong>\u201d (similar meaning as \u201cSch\u00e4tzchen\u201d).<\/p>\n

\u201cSchatzi<\/strong>\u201d is very popular with a younger (female) crowd. When addressing someone in a written note, an infinite amounts of i<\/em>‘s can be added: such as calling someone \u201cmein Schatziiii<\/strong>\u201d. Please note that there is a humorous element in adding the last vowel \u2014 this does, however, not take away from the feelings involved.<\/p>\n

You could say that calling someone \u201cSchatzi<\/strong>\u201d would be like calling your significant other \u201cbae\u201d \u2014 a term you either love or despise.<\/p>\n

Liebling<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The German expression \u201cLiebling<\/strong>\u201d means \u201cdarling\u201d. It seems that over time it has become a bit more of an old-fashioned term. If used it refers to your spouse or significant other.<\/p>\n

Fun fact: the German title of the 1989 Disney smash hit \u201cHoney I Shrunk the Kids<\/em>\u201d is \u201cLiebling, ich habe die Kinder geschrumpft<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Engel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the point where we\u2019re definitely entering sappy territory.<\/em>\u00a0\u201cEngel<\/strong>\u201d means \u201cAngel\u201d in German. It is definitely one of the more popular terms of endearment, especially when a couple is still in their honeymoon phase.<\/p>\n

When traveling in Germany, you also might see heart-wrenching messages scribbled on bridges and walls: \u201cIch liebe dich, mein Engel<\/strong>\u201d (\u201cI love you, my angel\u201d).<\/p>\n

[Awwww!]<\/p>\n

Hase<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cHase<\/strong>\u201d, which translates to \u201crabbit\u201d or \u201cbunny\u201d, is similar to Engel, yet despite its kitschiness, it is one of the more popular German terms of endearment. And who would disagree: a bunny is one of the cutest creatures to roam our planet. Thus calling your significant other \u201cHase\u201d might be kind of sappy, but let\u2019s face it \u2014 \u201cHase<\/strong>\u201d is kind of cute.<\/p>\n

Maus<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Just like with pet names such as \u201cEngel<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cHase<\/strong>\u201d, \u201cMaus<\/strong>\u201d (which means \u201cmouse\u201d) is a term you either love or hate. Yet many couples choose to address their partner with \u201cMaus<\/strong>\u201d. This term of endearment is used for men and women, so it is not necessarily gender-specific.<\/p>\n

Sometimes parents \u2014 especially mothers \u2014 also like to call their daughters \u201cMaus<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cMausi<\/strong>\u201d. As you can see, adding the vowel i<\/em>\u00a0at the end is a popular thing when it comes to German terms of endearment.<\/p>\n

If you want to be extra sappy, you can also use the pet name \u201cMausez\u00e4hnchen<\/strong>\u201d. This means \u201clittle mouse tooth\u201d and is most likely going to get you a couple of eye rolls if you\u2019re using it in public \u2014 because it\u2019s so cute <\/em>that it is simply hard to stand sometimes. So when it comes to using \u201cMausez\u00e4hnchen<\/strong>\u201d, depending on the nature of your relationship, it might be best to use it only in the comfort of your own home.<\/p>\n

B\u00e4rchen<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kitsch alert<\/em>! \u201cB\u00e4rchen\u201d (\u201clittle bear\u201d) is a very popular pet name, especially for guys. And who could deny it: little bears are cuddly and cute.<\/p>\n

So what pet name could be anymore suitable for the man of your dreams?<\/p>\n

Exactly.<\/p>\n

\n

You might be surprised to see that despite the German tendency to be a bit more reserved when it comes to addressing and expressing feelings, we tend to go all out<\/em> when it comes to using terms of endearment.<\/p>\n

The German language might sound a bit harsh, but the pet names used are most likely the cutest you will find.<\/p>\n

I hope I could give you some insight into ways to say \u201cI love you\u2019 in German\u201d. As usual, you can test your knowledge below with Clozemaster!<\/p>\n

Challenge yourself with Clozemaster<\/h2>\n

Test your skills and see what you’ve learned from this article by playing a selection of sentences with various ways to say \u201cI love you\u201d in German.<\/strong><\/p>\n