richte liebe Grüße aus
The English phrase 'send my love' is translated into German as richte liebe Grüße aus.
This phrase is used when you want the person you are talking to to pass on your well-wishes to a third party.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal construction meaning 'convey dear greetings out' (richte … aus) to a third party.
Which one should you use?
While English uses 'love' to convey affection in this context, German uses Grüße (greetings) to remain socially appropriate. Using Liebe (love) in this specific phrase can sound overly intense or romantic in many standard German contexts.
Did you know?
- In very formal or old-fashioned correspondence, you might see the variation bestell instead of richte, which carries a sense of 'placing an order' for your greetings.
- While richte liebe Grüße aus is common, Germans often use the shorter liebe Grüße (LG) as a standard sign-off in emails and texts, regardless of the level of intimacy.
- Because Liebe is seen as very intense, Germans may use herzliche Grüße (heartfelt greetings) to bridge the gap between the coolness of 'greetings' and the intensity of 'love'.
Examples in context
- Bitte grüßen Sie Herrn Schmidt herzlich von mir.Please send my warm regards to Mr. Schmidt.
- Grüß deine Eltern von mir und schick ihnen liebe Grüße!Say hi to your parents for me and send them my love!
