ich liebe dich auch
/ɪç ˈliːbə dɪç aʊ̯x/word by word
The phrase "love you too" in German is ich liebe dich auch.
A response used to tell someone that you feel the same love for them that they expressed to you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ich (I), liebe (love), dich (you) and auch (too/also).
Which one should you use?
While ich liebe dich auch is the standard full form, Liebe Dich auch. is a shorter version where the pronoun Ich is omitted. You may also use Auch ich habe Dich lieb. to convey deep affection in a playful or sweet context, or Ich hab dich auch lieb. as a casual and friendly way to express love, particularly with children or close friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb liebe is the first-person singular conjugation of lieben (to love). Because lieben requires a direct object, the word dich is the accusative form of du (you).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç ˈliːbə dɪç aʊ̯x/
Did you know?
- German speakers often avoid saying ich liebe dich as frequently as English speakers say 'I love you' and may use gestures or small acts of service to convey the same feeling.
- The word auch shares an ancestral root with the archaic English word 'eke', as seen in the phrase 'to eke out a living'.
- While ich liebe dich auch is used for romantic partners, using the verb lieben for friends or parents can sometimes feel too intense or heavy in German culture.
Examples in context
- Ich liebe dich auch, Tom!I love you, too, Tom.This sentence is useful for addressing 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 sentence shows how to use ich liebe dich auch as a response to a goodnight greeting.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 sentence illustrates a character using ich liebe dich auch within a larger sentence.Tatoeba #6110369 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2724638 by Hybrid
- Ich liebe Dich auch!Love you too!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple says goodbye before going to sleep.
- JuliaIch liebe dich.I love you.
- MaximilianIch liebe dich auch, Julia.I love you too, Julia.
- JuliaGute Nacht, mein Schatz.Good night, my darling.
- MaximilianSchlaf gut.Sleep well.
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 auch, dich, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
