What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I hold of it". Here, hou is the first-person singular present tense of the verb houden (to hold) and ervan is a combination of er (it/there) and van (of).
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between how you refer to people and activities. While ik hou van can mean "I love" when referring to people, ik hou ervan is the standard way to say "I like it" when referring to a situation or an activity.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Netherlands, you might hear "Ik vind het tof" to mean "I think it's cool" or "Ik ben weg van…" to mean "I'm crazy about…". In Belgium, the expression "Ik vind het plezant" is used to say "I find it pleasant" and "Ik ben zot van…" is used to mean "I'm mad about…".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are not using the standalone phrase but are instead followed directly by a noun (for example, "I like coffee"), the structure changes from ik hou ervan to ik hou van followed by the noun.
Did you know?
- When Dutch speakers use vet to say they like something, they are using a term that literally means 'fat'.
- The Dutch word ik is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'I', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *eǵh₂óm.
Examples in context
- Ik hou ervan alleen te zijn,I like being alone.This sentence shows how to use ik hou ervan to express liking a state of being.Tatoeba #10945881 by PaulP, translation #256057 by CK
- Ik hou ervan om kaal te zijn.I like being bald.This sentence demonstrates using ik hou ervan regarding a physical characteristic.Tatoeba #7694468 by MarijnKp, translation #6128516 by mailohilohi
- Ik hou ervan Veronika te omarmen.I like hugging Veronica.This sentence illustrates using ik hou ervan to express liking a specific action.Tatoeba #537848 by Dorenda, translation #1103263 by supplementfacts
- Ik houd van muziek.I like music.
- Ik houd van lekker eten.I like delicious food.
- Ik ben dol op sport.I'm crazy about sports.
- Ik ben dol op reizen.I'm fond of traveling.
- Ik vind het leuk.I like it.
- Ik vind het vet.I think it's cool.
- Ik vind het gaaf.I find it awesome.
- Ik ben gek op chocolade.I'm crazy about chocolate.
- Ik ben gek op gamen.I'm fond of gaming.
- Ik heb een zwak voor mooie zonsondergangen.I have a weakness for beautiful sunsets.
- Ik heb een zwak voor romcoms.I'm partial to romantic comedies.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Julia are talking about their hobbies.
- NoahIk lees graag boeken, ik hou ervan.I like reading books, I love it.
- JuliaIk lees ook graag, Noah.I like reading too, Noah.
- NoahWat is jouw favoriete genre?What is your favorite genre?
- JuliaIk lees mysteries, ik hou ervan.I read mysteries, I love it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ervan, hou, ik, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
