Liebende

Liebende is a German noun derived from the verb lieben, meaning “to love.” It denotes people who love or are in love and is most commonly used in literary or formal contexts. The term exists in gendered noun forms: masculine singular der Liebende (the lover), feminine singular die Liebende (the female lover), and plural die Liebenden (the lovers). In general usage, the plural can refer to lovers without specifying gender.

In practice, Liebende can appear as a standalone noun or as part of phrases such as die Liebenden to emphasize a romantic relationship. The form Liebende by itself is typically the feminine singular or, in some contexts, the base form found in dictionaries. In English translations, it can render as “lovers” or “the loving ones,” depending on context.

The term is common in German poetry and prose when portraying romance, affection, or intimate ties. It also appears in titles or headings, notably as Die Liebenden (The Lovers), a phrase used for various works across film, literature, and art. Such usage underscores the word’s lyrical and universal associations with romantic relationships.

See also: Lovers in German literature; German noun formation from verbs; Die Liebenden as a recurring title element in German-language culture.