Ich liebe dich
romantic, serious
To tell a boyfriend "I love you" in German, say Ich liebe dich. The words do not change for a man or a woman, and you can add a pet name like Schatz. It is also called Ich hab dich lieb and Ich bin in dich verliebt.
Meaning: declaration of love (phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | Note |
|---|---|
| Ich liebe dich | romantic, serious |
| Ich hab dich lieb | gentle, close bond |
| Ich bin in dich verliebt | romantic |
Ich liebe dich is a strong and serious statement. Ich hab dich lieb is softer and also used between family and close friends.
Which one should you use?
Pet names for a boyfriend include Schatz, Schatzi, Liebling and Hase. They are used like "darling" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
Ich bin in dich verliebt means "I am in love with you" and describes falling in love, not lasting love.
When do people say it?
Germans save Ich liebe dich for serious relationships, so Ich hab dich lieb is a common step before it.
Did you know?
- Many Germans use Schatz, which literally means "treasure", for a partner of any gender.
Examples in context
- Ich liebe dich, Schatz.I love you, darling.
- Ich hab dich so lieb.I care for you so much.
- Ich bin so froh, dass es dich gibt.I am so glad that you exist.
Example conversation
Mia and her boyfriend Jonas say goodbye at a train station in Berlin.
- MiaIch liebe dich, Jonas.I love you, Jonas.
- JonasIch liebe dich auch, Mia.I love you too, Mia.
- MiaSchreib mir, wenn du ankommst.Text me when you arrive.
