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The verb
lieben (
“to love”) does not exist in most traditional German dialects and retains a slightly solemn sound in the contemporary language. Therefore,
lieb haben is the most normal, the most “down-to-earth” way of expressing love in German, particularly among friends and family, but usually also between lovers. It is quite difficult to conceptualize the different sentimental values of both verbs. In some contexts,
lieb haben may express a weaker kind of love than
lieben, whereas in others it may sound particularly affectionate.