gute Nacht, ich liebe dich
The English phrase "good night, I love you" is translated into German as gute Nacht, ich liebe dich.
This phrase is used to say goodbye and express affection to someone before they go to sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ich liebe dich, dich is the accusative form of du (you), which is required because lieben is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'I love you' can be used as a general greeting or sign-off, ich liebe dich is rarely said unless the emotion is very deep and serious.
- While ich liebe dich is the direct translation, Germans often use ich hab dich lieb for family or partners in a more casual, cozy way. The latter is considered less intense and more common for a nightly goodbye.
- In many German-speaking regions, a common way to say 'good night' to a child is to say Träum süß, which literally translates to 'dream sweetly'.
Examples in context
- Gute Nacht, mein Schatz! Ich liebe dich!Good night, my darling! I love you!
- Schlaf gut und fest, mein Liebling! Ich liebe dich unendlich!Sleep well and soundly, my darling! I love you infinitely!
- Sag einfach: Gute Nacht, ich liebe dich.Just say: Good night, I love you.
- Wir sagen Gute Nacht, ich liebe dich, bevor wir schlafen.We say good night, I love you, before we sleep.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye in their bedroom before sleeping.
- SarahSchlaf gut, Felix. Gute Nacht, ich liebe dich.Sleep well, Felix. Good night, I love you.
- FelixDanke, Sarah. Gute Nacht, ich liebe dich auch.Thank you, Sarah. Good night, I love you too.
- SarahTräum was Schönes.Dream of something beautiful.
- FelixDas werde ich.I will.
