Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb
The English phrase "I love you lots" can be translated into German as Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb.
Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb is an affectionate way to tell someone that you love them very much. It is commonly used among family members, close friends or in the early, cute stages of a romantic relationship.
Which one should you use?
While Ich liebe dich is a serious and romantic way to say "I love you", Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb is less intense and more colloquial.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb is an informal and colloquial phrase, specifically due to the use of the word doll.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria or parts of Austria, you might use the phrase I mog di fei ganz arg to mean "I really like you a lot".
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase uses the colloquial contraction hab instead of the full formal version habe.
Did you know?
- The word doll in this phrase is actually a relative of the word for 'crazy' or 'mad'. It originally comes from a root meaning 'foolish' or 'stupid', though it has evolved into a term for 'intense' or 'very much' in modern colloquial German.
- In some German-speaking regions, using Ich liebe dich too early in a relationship can be seen as overwhelming or frightening, whereas Ich hab dich lieb is a safe and cute milestone.
Examples in context
- Ich hab' dich ganz doll liebI love you lots
- Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb, mein Schatz.I love you lots, my darling.
- Vergiss nicht: Ich hab dich ganz doll lieb!Don't forget: I love you lots!
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are saying goodbye at the train station.
- MaximilianBis nächste Woche, Julia.See you next week, Julia.
- JuliaJa, ich werde dich vermissen.Yes, I will miss you.
- MaximilianIch hab dich ganz doll lieb!I love you lots!
- JuliaIch dich auch, Maximilian.I love you too, Maximilian.
