du liegst mir am Herzen
The English phrase "I care for you" is expressed in German as du liegst mir am Herzen.
The phrase du liegst mir am Herzen is used to express deep emotional attachment. It is used when telling someone that they are very important to you and that you love them. It is appropriate for close friends, family members or romantic partners. Other related terms of endearment include Schatz, which means treasure or darling and Süße/r, meaning sweetie.
Which one should you use?
While the phrase Ich mag dich expresses liking or affection, du liegst mir am Herzen is much deeper and more emotional, implying a profound level of care and importance.
Did you know?
- Because this phrase is so intimate, using it too early in a relationship can be seen as overwhelming or too intense compared to the English 'i care for you'.
- In German, the heart Herz is not just the center of love, but also the center of courage and will, making du liegst mir am Herzen a statement of both affection and loyalty.
- The word du is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descend from the same Proto-Germanic root.
Examples in context
- Ach, das ist so süß von dir! Du bist mir auch sehr wichtig.Ach, that is so sweet of you! You are also very important to me.
- Egal was passiert, du liegst mir am Herzen.No matter what happens, I care for you.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are sitting together in a quiet park during sunset.
- FelixJulia, ich wollte dir das schon lange sagen.Julia, I have wanted to tell you this for a long time.
- JuliaWas möchtest du denn sagen, Felix?What is it that you want to say, Felix?
- FelixDu liegst mir am Herzen.I care for you.
- JuliaDas ist so schön zu hören.That is so lovely to hear.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, herzen, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
