Ich liebe dich auch
/ɪç ˈliːbə dɪç aʊ̯x/word by word
The English phrase "i love you too" is translated into German as Ich liebe dich auch.
Ich liebe dich auch is used to say "I love you too". The word auch means "too" or "also". If you are expressing your love to a group of multiple people, you should use Ich liebe euch auch, which means "I love you all too" or "I love each one of you too". To express that you are also in love with the other person, you can say Ich bin auch in dich verliebt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Ich (I), liebe (love), dich (you – accusative case) and auch (also/too).
Which one should you use?
While Ich liebe dich auch is used for deep, romantic love, Ich hab' dich auch lieb is a common, less intense way to express affection toward friends or family members.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dich is the accusative form of du, which is required because lieben is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
Did you know?
- The word auch is a direct linguistic relative of the archaic English word 'eke', which you may still see in the phrase 'to eke out a living'.
- In Germany, saying Ich liebe dich is traditionally reserved for very serious romantic relationships and is used much more sparingly than 'I love you' is in English.
- To express love for a child or a close friend, Germans often use Ich hab' dich lieb, which uses the verb haben ('to have') instead of lieben.
Examples in context
- Ich liebe dich auch, Tom!I love you, too, Tom.This example shows how to address someone by name using Ich liebe dich auch.Tatoeba #10029743 by wolfgangth, translation #3371185 by CK
- „Gute Nacht.“ „Ich liebe dich auch.“"Goodnight." "I love you too."This example shows a response to a goodnight greeting using Ich liebe dich auch.Tatoeba #13279071 by Vortarulo, translation #12346208 by Miktsoanit
- „Ich liebe dich auch“, antwortete die Fee, „und wenn du bei mir bleiben möchtest, dann darfst du mein kleines Brüderchen sein, und ich werde sein dein liebes kleines Schwesterchen.“"I love you, too," answered the Fairy, "and if you wish to stay with me, you may be my little brother and I'll be your good little sister."This example uses Ich liebe dich auch within a longer narrative context.Tatoeba #6110369 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2724638 by Hybrid
- Deine Liebe bedeutet mir so viel, und ich liebe dich auch sehr.Your love means so much to me, and I love you very much too.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye before a long trip.
- FelixIch liebe dich.I love you.
- SarahIch liebe dich auch, Felix.I love you too, Felix.
- FelixKomm schnell zurück.Come back soon.
- SarahDas werde ich, mein Schatz.I will, my darling.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Ich, Liebe, dich, auch) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ich, auch, dich, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
