ich mag dich wirklich
The English phrase "I really like you" is translated into German as ich mag dich wirklich.
This phrase is used to express a strong feeling of fondness or affection for another person.
Which one should you use?
While ich mag dich wirklich expresses fondness, it is distinct from Ich liebe dich, which means "I love you" and carries much stronger romantic weight. You can also say Ich mag dich wirklich sehr by adding sehr to the end to intensify the expression of liking someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ich mag dich wirklich, the word dich is the accusative form of "you" because the verb mögen requires a direct object. When shifting to a formal context, you replace dich with the formal Sie to say Ich mag Sie wirklich.
Did you know?
- While ich mag dich is common, German speakers often use the phrase Ich habe dich lieb to express a deep, warm affection that is more intimate than 'liking' but less heavy than 'loving'.
- Using the formal Sie in Ich mag Sie wirklich can create a paradoxical feeling of 'distant intimacy'. It is often used in professional settings to express genuine respect and fondness while still maintaining a strict social boundary.
- The word wirklich is built from the root wirken, which means 'to work' or 'to have an effect'. This suggests that something 'real' is actually something that 'produces an effect'.
Examples in context
- Ich mag dich wirklich sehr gern.I really like you a lot.This sentence is useful for expressing that you like someone a great deal using the form ich mag dich wirklich.Tatoeba #4734007 by bonny37, translation #2390850 by CK
- Ich wollte Ihnen sagen, dass Sie mir wirklich sympathisch sind.I wanted to tell you that I really like you (formal)
- Ich mag dich echt gern.I really like you (informal)
- Seit einem Jahr sage ich: Ich mag dich wirklich.For a year, I have been saying: I really like you.
Example conversation
Julian and Laura are sitting in a park at sunset.
- JulianLaura, ich mag dich wirklich.Laura, I really like you.
- LauraDas ist sehr lieb von dir, Julian.That is very sweet of you, Julian.
- JulianIch meine das absolut ernst.I am being absolutely serious.
- LauraIch mag dich auch wirklich sehr.I really like you a lot too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
