Wir lieben dich
/viːɐ̯ ˈliːbən dɪç/word by word
The English phrase "we love you" is expressed in German as Wir lieben dich.
Wir lieben dich is used by two or more people to express deep affection or romantic love for a single person. While not explicitly part of this phrase, the term Schatz is a common German term of endearment meaning "sweetheart".
Which one should you use?
The choice of the pronoun for "you" changes based on whom you are addressing. Use Wir lieben dich when speaking to one person in an informal setting, such as a family member, a close friend or a romantic partner. Using the formal version would sound inappropriately distant in a romantic context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on whether the "you" being addressed is an individual or a group. If you are addressing a group of people rather than a single person, replace dich with euch to say Wir lieben euch. In formal situations, replace dich with the formal Sie to say Wir lieben Sie.
How do you pronounce it?
/viːɐ̯ ˈliːbən dɪç/
Did you know?
- In German culture, saying Ich liebe dich or Wir lieben dich is generally reserved for serious, committed relationships and is used less frequently than 'I love you' in English.
- The modern meaning of lieben developed in late Middle High German as a replacement for minnen, which had acquired a specifically sexual connotation.
- While Wir lieben dich is used for deep affection, Germans often use Ich hab dich lieb for a lighter, platonic love between friends or family.
Examples in context
- Wir lieben dich sehr.We love you very much.This sentence demonstrates the use of Wir lieben dich with the intensifier "sehr".Tatoeba #10132558 by wolfgangth, translation #5788868 by CK
- Du weißt, wir lieben dich.You know we love you.This sentence shows Wir lieben dich as a subordinate clause within a larger statement.Tatoeba #6645126 by Felixjp, translation #2547462 by CK
- Wir lieben dich so, wie du bist!We love you just the way you are.This sentence shows how to use Wir lieben dich to express unconditional love.Tatoeba #4445640 by Astimohaska, translation #5767540 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are saying goodbye to their daughter.
- LukasHab einen schönen Tag!Have a wonderful day!
- SarahDanke, ich werde es versuchen.Thanks, I will try.
- LukasVergiss nicht: Wir lieben dich!Don't forget: we love you!
- SarahIch liebe euch auch!I love you too!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (wir, lieben, dich) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dich, lieben, wir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
