ich will dich
The German phrase for "I want you" is ich will dich.
This phrase is used to express a strong romantic or sexual desire for another person.
Which one should you use?
While ich will dich expresses a direct, forceful desire, Ich möchte dich (I would like you) is slightly more softened or polite, though still highly intimate. Additionally, using the formal Sie in the phrase Ich will Sie is rare and creates a highly specific, often eroticized or power-dynamic context in German.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ich will dich, the word dich is the accusative form of du (you). It is used in this position because the verb wollen requires a direct object in the accusative case.
Did you know?
- In German, using will can sound like a demand or an order. Depending on the tone, ich will dich can shift from romantic desire to an aggressive sense of possession.
- Using Sie instead of dich in ich will Sie is a common trope in German erotic literature to create a tension between formal social distance and intimate desire.
- The phrase ich will dich is frequently used in German pop music and lyrics to convey raw passion, but is less common in spoken daily conversation than in English.
Examples in context
- Ich will dich, Tom.I want you, Tom.This example shows the phrase being used to address someone by name.Tatoeba #6625778 by Felixjp, translation #2011313 by CK
- Ich will dich hier haben.I want you here.This example shows the phrase used to express wanting someone in a specific location.Tatoeba #1888587 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1887899 by CK
- Ich will dich zum Freund.I want you to be my friend.This example shows the phrase used in a different context regarding friendship.Tatoeba #8131887 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2012694 by CK
- Ihre Persönlichkeit und Ihr Charme haben mein Herz erobert. Ich würde gerne mit Ihnen zusammen sein.Your personality and charm have captured my heart. I would like to be with you.
- Du bist so wunderbar, dass ich dich einfach haben will.You're so wonderful that I just want you.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are having an intimate moment at home.
- LukasIch will dich.I want you.
- JuliaEcht? Nur mich?Really? Only me?
- LukasJa, ich will dich.Yes, I want you.
- JuliaDas ist so schön zu hören.That is so lovely to hear.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
