lieben

Etymology 1
Formally from, alteration (based on ) of rarer , from , equivalent to.

The singularly attested probably remained without continuation; the modern sense was derived in late Middle High German from the noun  on the model of, from , which had developed a sexual overtone. It remained absent from most traditional dialects, which use variants of or  instead (compare the usage note below). Related to 🇨🇬. Compare 🇨🇬.

Verb

 * 1)  to love, to have a strong affection for (someone or something)
 * 2)  to love one another
 * 3)  to make love, to have sex
 * 1)  to love one another
 * 2)  to make love, to have sex

Usage notes

 * German is more reluctant in its use of lieben (“to love”) than is English, particularly in reference to things. Such phrases as “Ich liebe den Teppich in deinem Zimmer!” (“I love the carpet in your room!”) are a typical feature of “dubbing German”, i.e. literal translations from English as commonly found in dubbed films or sitcoms. A more native way of expressing the same in German would be “Der Teppich in deinem Zimmer sieht toll aus!”, or “Der Teppich in deinem Zimmer gefällt mir sehr gut!”, or something along these lines.
 * Even when referring to love between people, lieben may have a slightly solemn sound. A more normal way of expressing it in spoken German is, particularly among friends and family, but usually also between lovers. (See the latter lemma for more.)

Conjugation

 * 1st ps. sg. indicative present active also: ,