gern
like to
Expresses that someone does something with pleasure, enjoyment, or willingly. It is often used together with a verb.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke gern Kaffee am Morgen.
I like to drink coffee in the morning.
gern
gladly / like to
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Meanings
gern
gladly
Used to express wishes or requests politely, often in the form 'möchte gern' (would like to) or as a positive response to an offer.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du noch ein Stück Kuchen? – Ja, gern!
Would you like another piece of cake? – Yes, gladly!
Gern geschehen
You're welcome
A polite response to thanks that expresses that one was happy to provide the help.
EXAMPLE
Vielen Dank für deine Hilfe! – Gern geschehen.
Thank you very much for your help! – You're welcome.
Usage tips
Preferences for activities
To express that you like doing an activity, you don't need an extra verb in German. Instead, you place the adverb 'gern' directly after the conjugated verb.
EXAMPLE
Sie liest gern Krimis.
She likes to read crime novels.
Comparison: lieber, am liebsten
'Gern' has the irregular comparative forms 'lieber' (to prefer) and 'am liebsten' (to like most of all). You can use them to compare and grade preferences.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke gern Tee, aber noch lieber trinke ich Kaffee.
I like to drink tea, but I like drinking coffee even more.
Polite wishes
In combination with 'möchten' (would like) or 'hätten' (would have), 'gern' is used to phrase wishes politely. 'Ich hätte gern ...' (I would like ...) is a standard phrase when ordering or shopping.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern einen Fensterplatz, wenn das möglich ist.
I would like a window seat, if that's possible.
Response to 'Danke'
The expression 'Gern geschehen' (You're welcome) is a fixed and friendly response to thanks. It signals that helping was no burden for you.
EXAMPLE
Vielen Dank für deine schnelle Antwort! – Gern geschehen.
Thank you very much for your quick reply! – You're welcome.
Compare with
gern vs bitte
please
Both words can be used as polite responses to thanks. bitte is the usual neutral response and means that no further thanks are necessary; gern or gern geschehen emphasizes more strongly that you were happy to help and did so voluntarily. Use bitte as the general response and gern for this personal nuance.
gern
Danke für deine Hilfe bei den Umzugskartons, gern geschehen.
Thanks for your help with the moving boxes. Gladly.
bitte
Danke für deine Hilfe bei den Umzugskartons, bitte.
Thanks for your help with the moving boxes. You're welcome.
In real life
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