German word

lieben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈliːbən/

Meaning

  • verblove

Example

Ich liebe dieses Lied.

I love this song.

Illustration for lieben (love)

More examples

Ich liebe die Ruhe am Morgen.

I love the peace and quiet in the morning.

Core concept

A heart turns warmly and steadily toward a person, song, or other valued thing.

Common phrases

  • jemanden lieben

    love someone

  • das Leben lieben

    love life

  • etwas lieben

    love something

Similar words

mögen: Feel fond of a person or thing without implying deep attachment.
sich verlieben: Develop romantic feelings for someone and begin to fall in love.

Definition in German

starke Zuneigung für eine Person oder Sache empfinden und diese Zuneigung oft zeigen

Word origin

German lieben is an inherited Germanic verb related to lieb and English love, with Old High German forms such as liobēn.

Usage tips

  • Lieben takes the accusative, as in 'Ich liebe dich' and 'Ich liebe dieses Lied', rather than a dative object.

Opposites

  • verabscheuendetestverb
  • hassenhateverb

Related words

  • die Liebelovenoun
  • verliebtin loveadjective
  • liebhabenlikeverb

Word lists with this word