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The German also distinguishes between "Ich liebe dich" and "Ich hab' dich lieb." Each can be translated, "I love you," [I hear arguments brewing emoticon] but they have different senses, as in, I love you like none other, and I love you as a dear friend--only stronger.

Argue as you may, this makes for a lovely little turn in the trial scene of "The Marriage of Maria Braun." Asked to describe the difference in her feelings toward her husband and the general Ms. Braun says she has killed, she answers, "Ich liebe meinen Mann" but "Ich hab' [den General] lieb'." When the military court asks for a translation, Ms. Braun's attorney answers, "She says she loves her husband, but she loves the General."