lieb
sweet, kind, nice (of a person or animal) · dear, beloved · good, well-behaved
Lieb means 'dear', 'sweet', or 'kind' when describing people or actions. It is often used for children, pets, or thoughtful gestures, and can also mean 'beloved' in phrases like 'meine Lieben' (my dear ones).
What lieb means
- sweet, kind, nice (of a person or animal) — Describing someone's character, especially children or pets
- dear, beloved — In fixed expressions like 'meine Lieben' or 'liebe Grüße'
- good, well-behaved — Talking about a child's behavior
Heard in real German videos
Lines where lieb was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Ach, [schreien] er ist ja so lieb.Oh, [screaming] he's just so sweet.
- Oh, das ist so lieb von euch, Schätzchen.Oh, that's so sweet of you, sweetie.
Example sentences
- Das Kind ist sehr lieb.The child is very sweet.
- Das ist lieb von dir.That's kind of you.
- Sie hat einen lieben Hund.She has a sweet dog.
- Ich habe dich lieb.I love you (in a non-romantic way, like family or friends).
Grammar
| Comparative | lieber |
|---|---|
| Superlative | am liebsten |
The superlative 'am liebsten' is commonly used to express 'favorite' or 'most liked', e.g., 'Ich trinke am liebsten Tee.'
Common phrases
- lieb habento love, to be fond of
- liebe Grüßebest regards (common email/letter closing)
- meine Liebenmy dear ones, my loved ones
- am liebstenmost preferably, favorite
The mistake English speakers make
Confusing 'lieb' with 'lieben' (the verb 'to love'). 'Lieb' is an adjective, while 'lieben' is a verb. For example, 'Ich liebe dich' means 'I love you', but 'Ich habe dich lieb' is a less intense, often non-romantic expression of affection.
Don’t confuse it with
- lieben — 'Lieb' is an adjective meaning 'sweet' or 'dear', while 'lieben' is a verb meaning 'to love'.
- nett — 'Nett' means 'nice' in a more general sense, while 'lieb' often implies warmth and affection, especially for someone close.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 'lieb' and 'liebenswert'?
'Lieb' means 'sweet' or 'kind', while 'liebenswert' means 'lovable' or 'endearing', describing someone who is easy to love.
How do you say 'I love you' in German?
The most common way is 'Ich liebe dich'. However, 'Ich habe dich lieb' is used for family and friends and is less intense.
What does 'am liebsten' mean?
'Am liebsten' means 'most preferably' or 'favorite'. For example, 'Ich esse am liebsten Pizza' means 'I prefer pizza' or 'Pizza is my favorite'.