loving
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loving
Being full of love and affection for someone or something; the quality of feeling and showing love.
Sie ist eine liebende Mutter, die alles für ihre Kinder tun würde.
She is a loving mother who would do anything for her children.
'Liebend' (loving) is the present participle of the verb 'lieben' (to love). This form is often used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb to describe an action.
Mit einer liebenden Geste strich sie ihm über die Wange.
With a loving gesture, she stroked his cheek.
The adjective 'liebend' (loving) is very often used in reference to close family members. Typical combinations are 'eine liebende Mutter' (a loving mother), 'ein liebender Vater' (a loving father), or 'liebende Eltern' (loving parents).
Er war immer ein liebender Ehemann und Vater.
He was always a loving husband and father.
'Liebend' (lovingly) can also be used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed. In that case, it remains unchanged after the verb.
Sie sah ihn liebend an.
She looked at him lovingly.
nice / dear
'lieb' and 'liebend' both have to do with affection. 'lieb' is much more common in everyday language and can simply mean nice or friendly. In 'jemanden lieb haben' (to be fond of someone), it also means personal affection. 'liebend' describes someone who is full of love or shows love. It often sounds stronger and somewhat more elevated or written. The words can be confusing because they look similar. Most of the time, 'lieb' is more natural when talking about friendly behavior. 'liebend' fits better when love itself is the focus.
Als liebender Vater nimmt er sich jeden Abend Zeit für sein Kind.
As a loving father, he makes time for his child every evening.
Meine Tante ist sehr lieb zu mir und ruft oft an.
My aunt is very kind to me and often calls.