dich umarmen
/dɪç ʊmˈʔaʁmən/word by word
The phrase 'hug you' in German is translated as dich umarmen.
This phrase is used to express the action of putting your arms around someone to show affection or as a greeting.
Which one should you use?
The verb umarmen is the standard way to say 'to hug' or 'to embrace'. It is slightly more formal or heartfelt than the colloquial term drücken, which means 'to squeeze' or 'to hug'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb umarmen is a regular weak verb. For example, the third-person singular form is umarmt, as seen in er umarmt dich (he hugs you).
How do you pronounce it?
/dɪç ʊmˈʔaʁmən/
Did you know?
- The prefix 'um-' in umarmen functions like the English 'around'. It gives the verb a circular, encompassing sense, as if you are encircling the person with your limbs.
- In many German-speaking social circles, the phrase 'eine Umarmung' (a hug) is often used as a warm sign-off in written messages or emails between friends, similar to how English speakers use 'hugs' at the end of a letter.
- In professional or formal German settings, the physical act of umarmen is far less common than in English-speaking cultures, where a 'hug' might be used more loosely.
Examples in context
- Darf ich dich umarmen?Can I hug you?This sentence is useful for asking permission to hug someone.Tatoeba #7485797 by Yorwba, translation #3172312 by CK
- Ich will dich umarmen!I want to hug you!This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to hug someone.Tatoeba #10458744 by koala, translation #10458733 by koala
- Es wäre mir eine Ehre, Sie zu umarmen, Professor Schmidt.It would be an honor for me to hug you, Professor Schmidt.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dich, umarmen) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
