German · Daily Life

Gerne

Gladly / With pleasure

Intermediateadverb

Definition

Willingly; with enjoyment.

Example

Ich helfe Ihnen gerne.

I am happy to help you.

Etymology

'Gerne' comes from Middle High German 'gerne', which means 'willingly' or 'gladly'. It is related to the Old High German 'gēran', which carries the same meaning, showcasing a long-standing expression of willingness.

How & Where It’s Used

'Gerne' is used in both spoken and written contexts to express consent or pleasure. It is informal but can be adapted to formal discourse depending on the context, and is widely understood in all German-speaking areas.

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