Mein Herz schlägt für dich
The English phrase "my heart beats for you" is translated into German as Mein Herz schlägt für dich.
This phrase is highly romantic and poetic, typically used in love letters, songs or intense declarations of affection. For a simpler way to express affection, you might use Ich liebe dich, which means "I love you."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Mein (my), Herz (heart), schlägt (beats/strikes), für (for) and dich (you in the accusative case).
Which one should you use?
If you are addressing someone formally, such as in a poem written to a stranger or a person of high status, dich is replaced with Sie to form Mein Herz schlägt für Sie.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition für always requires the accusative case, which is why "you" is dich rather than dir.
Did you know?
- Because schlägt can mean 'strikes', the phrase can evoke the image of a clock ticking, as German uses the same verb for a clock 'striking' the hour.
- While Mein Herz schlägt für dich is poetic, Germans often use the expression jemandem ans Herz schließen to describe welcoming someone into their inner circle or heart.
- In German, the heart is often used to describe bravery rather than just love, as seen in the term herzensstark which means 'strong of heart'.
Examples in context
- Mein Herz schlägt für dich.My heart beats for you.Tatoeba #8203548 by felix63, translation #9365932 by DJ_Saidez
- Mein Herz schlägt für dich, mein Schatz.My heart beats for you, my darling.
- Wisse immer: Mein Herz schlägt für dich.Always know: My heart beats for you.
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are having a romantic evening at a park.
- SarahJulian, ich liebe dich so sehr.Julian, I love you so much.
- JulianIch liebe dich auch, Sarah.I love you too, Sarah.
- SarahMein Herz schlägt für dich.My heart beats for you.
- JulianDas ist das Schönste, was ich je gehört habe.That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
