reine Liebe
The German phrase for 'pure love' is reine Liebe.
The phrase refers to pure love (phrase).
What does it mean word for word?
The word reine comes from rein, meaning pure or clean and Liebe means love.
Which one should you use?
While reine Liebe is the standard way to say 'pure love', unverfälschte Liebe is a more sophisticated way to describe love that is untainted or unadulterated.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase reine Liebe is used when the phrase is the subject or the direct object of a sentence. It changes its ending to reiner Liebe when used in the genitive case, such as in 'die Kraft reiner Liebe' (the power of pure love).
Did you know?
- Historically, the root of Liebe referred not just to affection, but also to concepts of 'fortune' and 'well-being' in Old High German.
- The word rein is used in the phrase rein aus Liebe, which means doing something 'simply out of love' without any ulterior motive.
- German distinguishes between Liebe for romantic or deep love and Zuneigung for a more general fondness or affection.
Examples in context
- Ich empfinde reine Liebe für dich.I feel pure love for you.
- Du hast mein Herz mit unverfälschter Liebe erfüllt.You have filled my heart with pure love.
- Das ist reine Liebe.That is pure love.
- Sie empfinden nur reine Liebe.They feel only pure love.
- Ihre Verbindung ist reine Liebe.Their connection is pure love.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a romantic novel they just read.
- SarahWar die Geschichte nicht wunderschön?Wasn't the story beautiful?
- JulianJa, es war reine Liebe.Yes, it was pure love.
- SarahJulian, du liebst solche Geschichten.Julian, you love such stories.
- JulianDas stimmt, sie sind sehr bewegend.That's true, they are very moving.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Liebe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
