я ценю тебя
ya tsenyu tebya
The English phrase "I appreciate you" is translated into Russian as я ценю тебя (ya tsenyu tebya).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you value them and are grateful for who they are. Note that я ценю тебя focuses on the person's character or presence. If you wish to express appreciation for a specific action or help, you would typically say я ценю твою помощь (I appreciate your help).
What does it mean word for word?
The verb ценю is the first-person singular form of ценить, which literally means "to value" or "to prize".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form я ценю тебя uses the informal "ты" (singular you), which is used with friends, family or people of the same age. If you are speaking to someone you do not know well, an elder or a person in a position of authority, use the formal/plural form я ценю вас.
How do you pronounce it?
ya tsenyu tebya
Did you know?
- While я ценю тебя is heartfelt, Russians often prefer the word благодарю for gratitude. This word literally means 'I make you blessed' or 'I give you grace'.
- The word ценю comes from the same root as цена, meaning 'price'. To appreciate someone in Russian is literally to assign them a high value.
- The English word 'ego' has a hidden relative in this phrase. The Russian word for 'I', я, comes from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Latin 'ego'.
Examples in context
- Спасибо тебе за помощьThank you for your help
- Спасибо большое, что приготовил обед.Thank you very much for cooking dinner.
- Я тебя очень ценю, это было невероятно мило с твоей стороны.I appreciate you very much, it was incredibly kind of you.
- Я ценю тебя за твою доброту.Ya tsenyu tebya za tvoyu dobrotu.I appreciate you for your kindness.
- Я ценю тебя и нашу дружбу.Ya tsenyu tebya i nashu druzhbu.I appreciate you and our friendship.
- Помни, что я ценю тебя.Pomni, chto ya tsenyu tebya.Remember that I appreciate you.
Example conversation
A couple is talking during a quiet evening at home.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТы всегда рядом, когда мне трудно.Ty vsegda ryadom, kogda mne trudno.You are always there when things are hard for me.
- Александр AleksandrЯ просто хочу тебе помочь.Ya prosto khochu tebe pomoch'.I just want to help you.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ ценю тебя, Александр.Ya tsenyu tebya, Aleksandr.I appreciate you, Alexander.
- Александр AleksandrСпасибо, Екатерина, это очень важно для меня.Spasibo, Ekaterina, eto ochen' vazhno dlya menya.Thank you, Ekaterina, that is very important to me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries тебя, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
