Ich hab dich lieb, Schwesterherz
The English phrase "I love you, sister" is expressed in German as Ich hab dich lieb, Schwesterherz.
This phrase is an affectionate expression of love used when speaking to one's sister. The term Schwester can refer to a sibling or to a nurse in a healthcare setting. If you wish to use other terms of endearment, you might use Liebling for darling or Schatz for sweetheart.
Which one should you use?
There is an important distinction between different ways of expressing love in German. While Ich liebe dich is used for deep, romantic or intense love, Ich hab dich lieb is the standard, warmer way to express affection toward family members and friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Ich hab dich lieb is a colloquial shortening of Ich habe dich lieb.
Did you know?
- The word Schwesterherz literally means 'sister heart'. Combining a relative's title with Herz (heart) is a common German way to create an intense term of endearment.
- The word lieb is a linguistic relative of the archaic English word 'lief', which meant 'dear' or 'beloved' in Old English.
- In some German dialects, the phrase Ich hab dich lieb can be shortened even further in spoken conversation to just Hab dich lieb, often written as 'HDL' in texts.
Example conversation
Julian is saying goodbye to his sister Laura at the airport.
- LauraGute Reise, Julian!Have a good trip, Julian!
- JulianDanke! Ich hab dich lieb, Schwesterherz.Thanks! I love you, sister.
- LauraIch hab dich auch lieb!I love you too!
- JulianWir sehen uns bald wieder.We will see each other again soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ich, Schwesterherz, dich, ich, lieb, CC BY-SA 4.0.
