German word

gerne

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgɛʁnə/

Meaning

  • adverblike to

Example

Ich esse gerne Pizza.

I like to eat pizza.

Illustration for gerne (like to)

More examples

Ich helfe gerne anderen Menschen.

I like to help other people.

Core concept

A person choosing an activity with a willing, pleased attitude.

Common phrases

  • Pizza gerne essen

    like to eat pizza

  • Kaffee gerne trinken

    like to drink coffee

  • anderen Menschen gerne helfen

    like to help other people

Similar words

gern: Expresses a willing, pleased attitude toward an action.
lieber: Marks the option preferred over several others.
am liebsten: Marks the choice preferred above all others.
mit Vergnügen: Politely expresses readiness to do something with pleasure.

Definition in German

Vorliebe oder Bereitschaft anzeigt; in Antworten verwendet es kurz als Zustimmung wie 'ja, gerne'.

Word origin

Gerne developed from Old High German gern, an adjective meaning 'willing' or 'eager', later used adverbially for 'with pleasure'.

Usage tips

  • Both gern and gerne are standard forms of the same adverb, so gerne is not an inflected ending.

Other meanings

  • gladlyadverb
  • willinglyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word