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German Grammar Guidebook

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The Verb +gefallen (to like SOMETHING)

Use the verb gefallen to express liking a condition, an object or a person. Make this condition, object or person the subject of gefallen. The person or persons doing the liking are the dative object of gefallen.
 

Wie gefällt es Ihnen hier in Deutschland?
How do you like it in Germany? NOT: How does it please you in Germany?
Es gefällt uns sehr.
We like it a lot. NOT: It pleases us a lot.
Deine Haare gefallen mir.
I like your hair. NOT: Your hair pleases me.
Seine Schwester gefällt dir nicht?!
You don’t like his sister?! NOT: His sister doesn’t please.you?!

The Adverb gern - To like TO DO something

Use the adverb gern to express "liking TO DO" some action. Gern goes at the beginning of the end bracket, but written as a separate word. The forms gern and gerne are interchangeable.
 

Ich würde ihn gern besuchen.
I’d like to visit him.
Ich möchte gern ein Bier haben.
I’d like to have a beer.
Ich hätte gern ein Bier.
I’d like a beer.
Ich hätte gern etwas Salz.
I’d like some salt.
Ich hätte das Salz gern in einer Dose.
I’d like the salt in a can.
Ich hätte sie gern morgen oder übermorgen.
I’d like to have them tomorrow or the day after.
Ich versichere Ihnen, daß ich Sachen gern diskutiere.
I assure you that I like to discuss things.

Position and Intonation of gern in the End Bracket

When gern modifies a verb taking an object, it precedes the word or phrase of greatest importance (highest pitch, loudest volume) in the sentence.

Summary: The Verb gefallen vs. the Adverb gern

The verb gefallen is used to express liking a set conditions, an object or a person. The adverb gern is used to express liking to do something.
 

Das sind Sachen, die nur wir gern tun.
Those are things that only we like to do.
Ich hätte meine Wäsche gern übermorgen.
I’d like to have my wash the day after tomorrow.

Gefallen is used for liking some THING. Gern is used for liking TO DO something. If what you like is a noun or pronoun, use the verb gefallen. If what you like is an action, use the adverb gern.
 

Ich würde gerne wissen, was er will.
I’d like to know what he wants.
Er gefält mir.
I like him.


Examples of gern and gefallen

  • und dass ich Sachen gern diskutiere, bevor sie zu Problemen geworden sind.
  • Ja, dieser hier gefällt deiner Mutter bestimmt.
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