adjective

lieb

sweet · kind

Dieses Wort beschreibt eine Person oder Sache, die freundlich, nett und angenehm ist. Es wird oft benutzt, um Zuneigung oder Sympathie auszudrücken.

Definition & meaning

The adjective lieb is a versatile word in German, generally expressing affection, kindness, or pleasantness. It is often used in the following contexts:

Kind, nice, or sweet: Used to describe someone's behavior or personality. A person who is "lieb" is considerate, friendly, and well-behaved.
Dear or beloved: Used as a term of endearment, often in letters or when addressing someone close to you (e.g., "Lieber Freund" – dear friend).
Well-behaved: When referring to children or animals, "lieb" describes someone who is calm, obedient, and not causing trouble.
Pleasant or dear: Used in phrases like "das ist lieb von dir" (that is kind of you).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is an adjective. It can be used predicatively ("Er ist lieb") or attributively ("ein lieber Mensch"). It follows standard German declension rules.
Origin: The word stems from the Old High German "liob," which is related to the Germanic root leubaz (meaning dear or beloved). It shares the same etymological roots as the English word "love."