ich freue mich
The English phrase "I am glad" is translated into German as ich freue mich.
This phrase is used to express happiness or pleasure regarding a specific situation or event.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ich freue mich means "I rejoice myself", as it utilizes the reflexive verb sich freuen.
Which one should you use?
While ich freue mich focuses on the active feeling of joy or anticipation, ich bin froh is often used to express relief, such as saying "I am glad that is over".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun must change to match the subject. For example, you would say wir freuen uns for "we are glad". To change the meaning of the phrase, you can use different prepositions: use ich freue mich über to express happiness about a current or past event or thing or use ich freue mich auf to mean "I am looking forward to" something in the future.
Did you know?
- While ich freue mich expresses joy, the word Freude for 'joy' is the root of the famous 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
- The word froh in ich bin froh is a cognate of the English word 'frolic', both coming from a root meaning 'happy' or 'cheerful'.
- Using ich freue mich in a business email is standard, but adding sehr as in ich freue mich sehr is often expected to show genuine professional warmth.
Examples in context
- Ich freue mich, dir zu helfen.I am glad to help you.This sentence shows how to use ich freue mich to express a desire to help.Tatoeba #3218331 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #625502 by rpglover64
- Ich freue mich, dass du zu Hause bist.I am glad you are home.This sentence shows how to use ich freue mich to express happiness about someone being home.Tatoeba #12351454 by nexx, translation #8013719 by OsoHombre
- Ich freue mich, dass du erfolgreich warst.I am glad that you have succeeded.This sentence shows how to use ich freue mich to express happiness about someone's success.Tatoeba #2201269 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #17801 by CK
- In einer solch wunderbaren Stadt zu sein, macht mich glücklich. Ich freue mich.Being in such a wonderful city makes me happy. I am glad.
- Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Einladung zur Konferenz. Es freut mich sehr, dabei zu sein.Thank you very much for inviting me to the conference. I am very glad to be a part of it.
- Wir haben das Basketballspiel gewonnen! Das freut mich total!We won the basketball game! That makes me really glad!
- Ich bin überaus glücklich.I am extremely happy.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are talking about a planned trip.
- HannahIch komme am Samstag zu Besuch.I am coming to visit on Saturday.
- LukasIch freue mich, dass du Zeit hast!I am glad that you have time!
- HannahIch freue mich auch auf unser Treffen.I am also looking forward to our meeting.
- LukasBis Samstag dann!Until Saturday then!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
