Gern is one of the first words English speakers need, and one of the first they use wrongly. Here is how to use gern, gerne, lieber and am liebsten.

Gern or gerne?

Both are correct and mean the same. The choice is largely regional and a matter of rhythm in the sentence.

Saying what you like doing

Expressing in German that we like doing something requires the adverb gern. In a main clause, the conjugated verb retains the second position, and gern follows it, after any time expression. Most learners meet this order in their first lessons.

Ich lerne Deutsch. (a neutral statement)
Ich lerne gern Deutsch. (I like learning German.)
Ich lerne jetzt gern Deutsch. (time expression first)

The mistake I hear most often

English speakers often say Ich mag schwimmen, translating I like swimming. German speakers say Ich schwimme gern. Mögen is for things and people, gern for activities:

Ich mag Fußball. (I like football.)
Ich spiele gern Fußball. (I like playing football.)

Lieber and am liebsten

Lieber is the comparative of gern, and am liebsten the superlative: Ich lerne gern Spanisch, lieber Französisch und am liebsten Deutsch.

Gern as a reply

On its own, gern answers a thank you, like you’re welcome. It is short for Das habe ich gern gemacht. Gern geschehen means the same.

Möchtest du gerne Deutsch lernen? That is the kind of sentence that only becomes automatic in conversation. I teach one to one — online German lessons wherever you are, or private German lessons in London if you are nearby.