Ich liebe dich
romantic
In Austria, as elsewhere in German, the romantic phrase is Ich liebe dich. Ich hab dich lieb is gentler and Ich hab dich gern is milder still.
Meaning: declaration of love (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Ich liebe dich | romantic |
| Ich hab dich lieb | warm, family |
| Ich hab dich gern | mild |
Ich liebe dich is serious and kept for partners and very close family. Ich hab dich lieb is used with children, parents and close friends.
Which one should you use?
Colloquial speech often shortens habe to hab, which is why you hear Ich hab dich lieb so often.
Did you know?
- German has a ladder of warmth: gern haben, lieb haben and lieben, and each step is stronger than the last.
Examples in context
- Ich liebe dich.I love you.
- Ich hab dich lieb, Mama.I love you, Mom.
- Ich hab dich gern.I like you a lot.
Example conversation
Felix says goodbye to his girlfriend Sara at the Innsbruck train station.
- FelixIch liebe dich, Sara.I love you, Sara.
- SaraIch liebe dich auch.I love you too.
- FelixSchreib mir, wenn du ankommst.Text me when you arrive.
