How to say "I like to" and "I enjoy" in German
In German, “I like to” is commonly expressed with the adverb gern placed after the verb. For example, “I like to swim” is “Ich schwimme gern.”
“I enjoy” translates to “Ich genieße”, which is often used with an infinitive clause or a noun. For example, “I enjoy reading” can be “Ich genieße das Lesen” or “Ich genieße es, zu lesen.”
How gern works in German
Gern is the most natural everyday way to say that someone likes doing something. It usually comes after the conjugated verb, not before it as in English.
- Ich höre gern Musik. — I like to listen to music.
- Sie kocht gern. — She likes to cook.
- Wir reisen gern. — We like to travel.
This pattern is especially useful because it works with almost any action verb. In conversation, gern often sounds more natural than trying to translate English “like” word for word.
A related form is gerne, which means the same thing. Both are correct in modern German.
- Ich lese gern.
- Ich lese gerne.
The difference between gern and genießen
Although genießen can mean “to enjoy,” it is not the most common way to express ordinary preferences in everyday speech. It tends to sound a little more formal, more literary, or more specific than gern.
- Ich arbeite gern. — I like working.
- Ich genieße meinen Urlaub. — I’m enjoying my vacation.
- Ich genieße das Essen. — I’m enjoying the food.
In many real-life situations, German speakers choose gern for activities and genießen for experiences that are being savored, such as a meal, a view, a holiday, or a quiet moment.
How to say “I like to” in practical German
The most reliable structure is:
Ich + verb + gern
Examples:
- Ich tanze gern. — I like to dance.
- Ich lerne gern Sprachen. — I like to learn languages.
- Ich fahre gern Fahrrad. — I like to ride a bike.
When another object is present, the object usually comes before gern:
- Ich trinke gern Kaffee. — I like to drink coffee.
- Er hört gern klassische Musik. — He likes to listen to classical music.
- Wir essen gern italienisch. — We like to eat Italian food.
That word order is a key feature of natural German. The adverb gern is short, flexible, and extremely common in speech.
How to say “I enjoy” in practical German
Genießen is a regular verb meaning “to enjoy” in the sense of taking pleasure in something. It is followed by:
- a noun
- an article + noun
- es, zu + infinitive
- sometimes a substantive noun like das Lesen (“reading” as an activity)
Examples:
- Ich genieße die Sonne. — I enjoy the sun.
- Ich genieße den Abend. — I’m enjoying the evening.
- Ich genieße es, zu lesen. — I enjoy reading.
- Ich genieße das Lesen. — I enjoy reading.
A useful distinction is that gern describes a general preference or habit, while genießen describes the feeling of pleasure in the moment or in a particular experience.
Common mistakes
1. Putting gern in the wrong place
A frequent error is copying English word order too closely.
- Incorrect: Ich gern schwimme.
- Correct: Ich schwimme gern.
The main verb comes first in the clause, and gern follows it.
2. Using genießen for every kind of “like”
German does not usually use genießen for simple preferences like liking a sport or hobby.
- Natural: Ich spiele gern Schach.
- Less natural in ordinary speech: Ich genieße Schach.
Use genießen when the idea is closer to savoring or appreciating an experience.
3. Confusing gern with mögen
Mögen means “to like” in the sense of liking a thing, person, or concept.
- Ich mag Kaffee. — I like coffee.
- Ich trinke gern Kaffee. — I like to drink coffee.
- Ich mag sie. — I like her.
- Ich lese gern. — I like to read.
The difference matters:
- mag = liking the thing itself
- gern = liking the activity
- genießen = savoring or enjoying the experience
Useful everyday examples
- Ich gehe gern spazieren. — I like to go for walks.
- Ich koche gern. — I like to cook.
- Ich höre gern Podcasts. — I like listening to podcasts.
- Ich genieße meinen Kaffee am Morgen. — I enjoy my coffee in the morning.
- Wir genießen den Blick auf die Stadt. — We enjoy the view of the city.
These patterns are especially helpful in real conversation, where quick, automatic phrasing matters more than abstract grammar. Speaking practice helps make the difference between gern, mögen, and genießen feel natural in actual use.
Quick summary
- I like to + verb: Ich + [verb] + gern
- Ich spiele gern Tennis. — I like to play tennis.
- I like + noun: Ich mag + noun
- Ich mag Kaffee. — I like coffee.
- I enjoy + noun or activity: Ich genieße + noun or Ich genieße es, zu + infinitive
- Ich genieße lange Spaziergänge. — I enjoy long walks.
For most everyday situations, gern is the safest and most natural choice for “I like to” in German.