Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Schatz | /ʃat͡s/ | masculine |
| Liebchen | /ˈliːpçən/ | neuter |
| Liebling | /ˈliːplɪŋ/ | masculine |
| Liebster | masculine | |
| Liebste | feminine | |
| Herzallerliebster | masculine | |
| Herzallerliebste | feminine |
These terms are used to refer to a person who is very much liked or loved by someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Schatz literally means 'treasure'.
Which one should you use?
Schatz is the most common and versatile term for sweetheart in German, used by couples of all kinds. Liebling is similar to the English term 'darling'. Liebchen is an archaic or old-fashioned term for sweetheart and is rarely used in modern daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Liebster is the masculine form and Liebste is the feminine form. When using Schatz as a direct address, it is common to use the possessive pronoun mein (my) before it.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃats/
When do people say it?
The phrase Du bist ein Schatz! can be used to tell someone they are a very kind or helpful person, not just in a romantic context.
Did you know?
- The word Schatz shares an ancient root with the Old English 'sċeatt' and the Proto-West Germanic word for 'cattle'. In early societies, cattle were the primary form of wealth and treasure.
- If you want to express the absolute highest level of affection, you can use the superlative Herzallerliebster, which literally means 'heart-all-most-loved'.
- In Germany, Schatz is so common that it is often used as a generic term of endearment for children and pets as well as romantic partners.
Examples in context
- Du bist ein Schatz!You are such a sweetheart.This sentence shows how to use Schatz to tell someone they are a very kind or helpful person, not just in a romantic context.Tatoeba #8043872 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2220230 by Hybrid
- Warum weinst du, Liebling?What are you crying about, sweetheart?This sentence demonstrates how to use Liebling as a term of endearment.Tatoeba #637419 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #383665 by Dorenda
- Guten Morgen, mein Schatz.Good morning, sweetheart.This sentence shows the common practice of using the possessive pronoun before Schatz when addressing someone.Tatoeba #12293987 by mayabe, translation #1808502 by CK
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is relaxing in their living room on a Sunday afternoon.
- HannahSchatz, möchtest du einen Tee?Sweetheart, would you like a tea?
- LukasJa, danke, mein Schatz.Yes, thanks, my sweetheart.
- HannahDu bist so lieb, Lukas.You are so sweet, Lukas.
- LukasIch liebe dich, Hannah.I love you, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweetheart” translations and entries Schatz, Liebchen, Liebling, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Liebchen, Liebling, Schatz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
