Help german language?

Question

Ich liebe dich! I know what it means, but how do I pronounce it. I plan to say to this guy I like. I want to tell him, but I don't want him to know. It would just be a relief.

Answer 1

The "ich" is the tricky part for non German speakers. Yes, you could say "ick," but you would immediately be pointed out as an American or Brit. More closely to the real pronunciation would be "Eesh" but even still it is not how it should be pronounced. The "ch" is more using the tongue pressed up against to the roof of the mouth slightly, you'd really have to hear someone say it, since it's hard to describe by typing! To play it safe, just say:

"Eesh leebuh deesh"

Answer 2

A German from Frankfurt / Main would pronounce Ich liebe dich: eesh LEE-buh deesh ("ich" and "dich" both rhyme with the English slang "Sheesh!"). It's not the best pronunciation, but it's much easier for English speakers and better than saying "ick" which not only sounds like the English word "ick," but it makes you sound like you're from Berlin. ("Ick lieb' dir" is Berliner for "Ich liebe dich." Ick!)

The proper pronunciation (as you would hear in Hannover for example) is to make the "ch" sound like the first sound in the word "hue" (as in shade or color).

Here are some other options, if you don't want to use the L word (there are basically four levels of expressing affection to the opposite sex in German):

1. Ich mag dich (I like you) -- mag is pronounced with "a" as in "father" NOT as in "apple" and the strong "g" at the end of some German words sounds like a "k": eesh mak deesh

2. Ich hab' dish lieb. (You're dear to me) -- this is what Germans say if they're in a romantic relationship but not ready to say "Ich liebe dich." (the "a" in hab' is like the "a" in father NOT "a" as in "apple" and the "b" is so short at the end of most German words that it almost sounds like a "p." So, "hab" sounds a lot more like "hop" and "lieb" is more like "leep."): eesh hap dish leep.

3. Ich liebe dich. (discussed above)

4. Ich will dich heiraten. (It means "I want to marry you." We can work on the pronunciation later, when you're closer to needing it.)

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Ich, e+ch (like a cat hissing). Liebe (lee-buh). Dich, same as Ich, just add d.

Answer 4

You're getting enough answers on how to pronounce it, but make sure you know what you're feeling when you tell him, especially if he's German. You're telling him you love him, but you say you like him in your question.

Answer 5

I have something for you. Go to this site, look up the words, and click the links. You can actually hear a native speaker say these words, that way when you tell him how you feel, you can say it just right and be confident in how it sounds

http://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/

Answer 6

eekh leeba deekh.

It means "I love you", so I don't know if it would be appropriate to say to a guy you just "like".

Answer 7

I love you.

Ick leebay ditch

I think. I don't speak German.