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- Topic: German >
- "Ich mag Sie."
47 Comments
Because "Ihnen" is "Sie" in dative case, but this situation requires accusative (objective) case, that remains "Sie". With "du" it would be "Ich mag dich" dative case for "du" is "dir" accusative case for "du" is "dich"
The verb, "danken," takes the dative case ("Ich danke Ihnen" is, literally, "I thank (to) you"). "Mögen," however, takes the accusative case.
1349
ateniyo
The dative case is applied to the indirect object.
I hit the ball to her.
I (subject/nominative case)
hit (verb)
the ball (direct object/accusative case)
to her (indirect object/dative case)
The verb hit acted directly on the object the ball
The verb hit was only indirectly involved with her
In English expect to see the indirect object/dative case introduced by prepositions such as
to, from, at, by, with....... etc.
In German expect to see the indirect object/dative case introduced by prepositions such as
aus, außer, bei, gegenüber, mit, nach, seit, von, zu .....etc.
Be aware that some prepositions introduce either direct object/accusative or indirect object/accusative depending on how they are used.
As Crumblus.Crisp has pointed out above, some verbs always take the dative case by their very nature. The reason is not always apparent to English speakers and takes some effort on the part of English speakers to adjust to.
In the example offered by Crumblus.Crisp, German takes the view that you give thanks in general and only indirectly apply it to a particular individual. Giving thanks to someone carries the dative case in German. You may note that giving thanks to someone in English would invoke the dative case as well, except we don't have a dative case form for someone.
Sorry, didn't get it. Why is it that this situation requires accusative but with Du requires dative?
No, it is the same case, it would be accusative "Ich mag dich" I wrote dative case just to show, that "Sie" changes its form in dative, but not in accusative. And "du" changes its form in both cases
If you like someone, you'd think you'd know that person well enough to refer to them as "du"
- 498
Well, let's say you meet a beautiful stranger and you're drawn to him/her...
Before you hit it off with him/her with that one night stand, you'd want to say something...
Who knows, maybe it'll lead to a long-lasting romance.
yes, could be. And not only "I like them, but also "I like her".. but you would understand from context.
- 655
Can you really say this while still on formal terms? Or would it mean 'I respect you' rather than 'I am fond of you'?
You don't. How do you apart you (as you man) and you (as you guys) in English? You don't. This is similar.
Similarly, it´s not clear when we say ¨we¨, whether we mean ¨you and I¨ (inclusive we) or ¨someone else and I¨ (exclusive we). In other words, the English word ¨we¨ does not indicate clusivity. We (inclusive we) just figure it out in context, or just guess.
"Ihnen" is dative. You don't use the dative case here because "Sie" is the direct object and, therefore, takes the accusative case. The du form is "Ich mag dich."
- It's not "sie." It's "Sie."
- For it to be dative, it would have to be "Ihnen."
- However, "mogen" takes accusative--not dative--and the accusative for formal you is "Sie."
- Formal you in any case must be capitalized.
- Ich mag dich.
Can someone help me here? How in speech do you hear the capital 'S' in 'Sie'? I hope I don't sound stupid?
There is never a stupid question when you are learning. In speech, you cannot distinguish between sie (she), sie (they) and Sie (you formal). It is only in context that you would know. Discussion before 'Ich mag Sie' is even said. I hope this brings perspective.
Why sie is used for you because ,gehen sie are you going? what difference between them.
Sie is formal German for singular you. du or dich are informal German for singular you.
Me: [finally works up courage to tell Crush I like them] Hey so I wanna tell you something. Crush: Sure what is it? Me: [breaks down] Ich mag Sie. Crush: huh. Me: Nevermind...... [fails at life]
Read all the comments and still can't understand the difference between 'ich mag Sie' and 'ich mag dich'
- 1245
In english as in german there are two levels of formality. If you meet someone new, or if you talk to your boss, you will usually call them Mr. and Mrs. In these cases you would use "Sie" in german. If you speak to friends and family you would use first names. In these cases you use "du" in german.
Use Sie when you meet someone, or in any formal situation. Use du (dich) when speaking with close friends, pets, or anyone you have agreed to use du with.
- 26
Ive read all the comments and still very confused on how when doing the write what you hear thing, how do I know that its "I like you" and not "I like her" when you are hearing it and cant see a capital?
Also how is "I like her" then said?
Ive read all the comments and still very confused on how when doing the write what you hear thing, how do I know that its "I like you" and not "I like her" when you are hearing it and cant see a capital?
I don't think that capitalisation is checked for "type what you hear" exercises -- so you could write ich mag sie regardless of whether the voice is saying Ich mag sie. or Ich mag Sie.
Also how is "I like her" then said?
Ich mag sie.
- 1237
Why is it, that "Ich mag Sie" may be translated as "I like you", but on a different translation question, "I like you" may only be translated as "Ich mag dich"?
on a different translation question, "I like you" may only be translated as "Ich mag dich"?
"I like you" should accept all three translations: Ich mag dich - ich mag euch - ich mag Sie.
If Ich mag Sie is not accepted as a translation, then flag it as "my translation should be accepted".
