ich brauche dich
In German, the phrase "I need you" is expressed as ich brauche dich.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of brauchen, which means "to need" and dich, which is the accusative form of du (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the accusative pronoun dich when referring to a single person with whom you are on informal terms. If you are addressing a group of people that you are on informal terms with, use ich brauche euch.
Did you know?
- In an emotional context, a German speaker might say ich kann ohne dich nicht instead of ich brauche dich. This literally means 'I cannot without you' and is often considered more romantic.
- The word brauchen is historically linked to the word gebrauchen, which means 'to use'. This suggests that the root of needing something in German is closely tied to the act of utilizing it.
- While ich brauche dich is grammatically correct, using brauchen to express emotional dependency can sometimes sound more transactional or functional than in English, like needing a tool.
Examples in context
- Ich brauche dich jetzt.I need you now.This sentence shows how to use ich brauche dich with a time expression.Tatoeba #8890751 by wolfgangth, translation #2387799 by CK
- Ich brauche dich im Labor.I need you in the lab.This sentence demonstrates the use of ich brauche dich in a specific location.Tatoeba #12417160 by mayabe, translation #12211886 by CK
- Ich brauche dich jetzt hier.I need you here now.This sentence shows how to use ich brauche dich to indicate both time and place.Tatoeba #8822560 by wolfgangth, translation #6100100 by OsoHombre
- Ich brauche dich gerade. Können wir reden?I need you right now. Can we talk?
- Ich brauche dich heute Abend an meiner Seite.I need you to be there for me tonight.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking in their living room.
- SarahJulian, ich brauche dich.Julian, I need you.
- JulianWas ist los, Sarah?What is wrong, Sarah?
- SarahIch habe Angst vor der Prüfung.I am afraid of the exam.
- JulianIch bin bei dir.I am here with you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
