Expressing likes, dislikes and preferences in German

• Likes, dislikes and preferences can be expressed using an adverb such as:

  • gernlike

  • nicht gerndislike/don’t like

  • lieberprefer

  • am liebstenprefer most of all/most prefer

• They can also be expressed using the verbsmögento like, hassento hate or liebento love.

Adverbs, such as gernlike, nicht gerndislike/don’t like, lieberprefer and am liebstenmost prefer/prefer most of all must be added to a verb.

In a sentence, the adverb comes after the verb :

• Ich spiele gern am Computer. – I like playing on the computer.

• Meine Schwester isst nicht gern Bananen. – My sister doesn‘t like eating bananas.

• Ich lese lieber Fantasybücher. – I prefer reading fantasy books.

• Am liebsten sehen meine Freunde und ich Zeichentrickfilme. – My friends and I prefer watching cartoons.

Remember:

Use an adverb to express like or dislike towards an action.

Translate the following sentences into English.

Use verbs such as mögen, lieben and hassen to express a like or dislike for an object.

For example:

• Ich mag Rugby, weil es spannend ist. - I like rugby because it is exciting.

• Ich mag Wandern nicht. - I don’t like hiking.

• Ich liebe Komödien denn sie sind lustig. - I love comedies because they are funny.

• Meine Schwester hasst Angeln, weil sie das langweilig findet. - My sister hates fishing because she finds it boring.

Translate the following sentences into German.

Check your understanding of how to express likes, dislikes and preferences by taking this multiple-choice quiz.