líbí se mi
In Czech, the phrase to say "I like" is líbí se mi.
This phrase is used to express that someone finds something pleasing or attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "it is pleasing to me". Here, líbí is a form of the verb líbit (to please) and mi is the dative pronoun "to me".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase is structured as "something is pleasing to me", the thing being liked must be in the nominative case, not the accusative case used in English.
Did you know?
- If you want to say you like a specific activity, such as swimming, Czechs often switch from líbit to the verb bavit, which implies the activity is 'amusing' or 'entertaining'.
- If you tell someone Líbíš se mi, they might assume you are complimenting their physical looks rather than their character.
- The reflexive particle se in this expression is a linguistic descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *swé, which refers to oneself.
Examples in context
- Líbí se mi to.I like it.Tatoeba #3577371 by nueby, translation #1520245 by ABChessel
- Líbí se mi tu.I like being here.Tatoeba #8825057 by Ergulis, translation #8825054 by CK
- Líbí se mi oba.I like both.Tatoeba #3577248 by nueby, translation #255228 by CK
- Líbí se mi hudba.I like music.
- Rád mám sport.I like sport.
- Mám rád fotbal.I like football.
- Mám ráda ovoce.I like fruit.
- Jsem nadšený z módy.I am excited about fashion.
- Jsem nadšená z cestování.I am enthusiastic about traveling.
- Mám chuť na zmrzlinu.I feel like ice cream.
- Jsem fanditel českého filmu.I am a fan of Czech cinema.
- Jsem fanditelka divadla.I am a theater enthusiast.
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomáš and Jana are looking at a new apartment.
- TomášLíbí se mi ten byt.I like this apartment.
- JanaMně se líbí i kuchyně.I like the kitchen too.
- TomášMáš pravdu, je moc krásná.You're right, it is very beautiful.
- JanaLíbí se mi i ten výhled.I like the view too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
