Norwegian expression of the day: Glad i deg
Glad i deg, or jeg elsker deg? Find out the difference to save yourself from having a cringe-worthy exchange.
Why do I need to know this
Directly translated, glad i deg is the same as jeg elsker deg. But be careful. The two aren't often interchangeable.
What does it mean
Glad i deg means "I love you". It's an expression you would use with your friends. Or your favourite colleague. Or the barista you meet every morning at your neighbourhood cafe. Glad i deg means I love you. But it can be thrown out there in more of a casual context.
Jeg elsker deg also means, “I love you”. Which is why non-native speakers can quickly be under the wrong impression that they are interchangeable. Jeg elsker deg is typically used with someone you are in a romantic relationship with. If you told someone 'jeg elsker deg', it would mean that you are in love with them, which is a lot more serious than saying glad i deg. Glad i deg is expressing you have more of a lovely connection than a connection of love.
Yes, in specific contexts the two can be interchangeable. You can tell your husband or wife glad i deg or jeg elsker deg. But you would never say jeg elsker deg to your favourite morning barista. Well, only if you have a major crush on them and want to reveal your feelings.
To be on the safe side, use glad i deg with everyone else other than that special someone in your life.
Use it like this
Tenk på alle som er glad i deg. - Think of all those who love you.
Takk for at du tenkte på meg. Glad i deg. - Thanks for thinking of me. Love you.
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See Also
Why do I need to know this
Directly translated, glad i deg is the same as jeg elsker deg. But be careful. The two aren't often interchangeable.
What does it mean
Glad i deg means "I love you". It's an expression you would use with your friends. Or your favourite colleague. Or the barista you meet every morning at your neighbourhood cafe. Glad i deg means I love you. But it can be thrown out there in more of a casual context.
Jeg elsker deg also means, “I love you”. Which is why non-native speakers can quickly be under the wrong impression that they are interchangeable. Jeg elsker deg is typically used with someone you are in a romantic relationship with. If you told someone 'jeg elsker deg', it would mean that you are in love with them, which is a lot more serious than saying glad i deg. Glad i deg is expressing you have more of a lovely connection than a connection of love.
Yes, in specific contexts the two can be interchangeable. You can tell your husband or wife glad i deg or jeg elsker deg. But you would never say jeg elsker deg to your favourite morning barista. Well, only if you have a major crush on them and want to reveal your feelings.
To be on the safe side, use glad i deg with everyone else other than that special someone in your life.
Use it like this
Tenk på alle som er glad i deg. - Think of all those who love you.
Takk for at du tenkte på meg. Glad i deg. - Thanks for thinking of me. Love you.
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