HDL

What Does HDL Mean in a Text?

Expressing Love in a Text

There are over 100 novel ways to express love in a text message. Some of them were invented by the iKids (i.e., Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation A), making them just a few decades old, but many of them have been around for centuries. Here's the one that matters to you: HDL means "Hab Dich Lieb," which is a German phrase indicating deep affection for someone.

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When spoken in full, "Hab Dich Lieb" is normally used amongst close family members, similar to the phrase "love you" in English. Additionally, the abbreviation HDL is often used as a term of endearment between female friends, but rarely amongst male friends. Although HDL expresses deep affection, it is generally considered to be a more platonic affection than that expressed by the abbreviation ILD ("Ich Liebe Dich"), which translates in English as "I Love You" and is more appropriately used between couples.

Image for HDL

When I write HDL, I mean this:

"Hab Dich Lieb"

Summary of Key Points

"Hab Dich Lieb ("I love you" in German) (see also ILD)" is, by far, the most common meaning for HDL when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

HDL
Definition:	Hab Dich Lieb ("I love you" in German) (see also ILD)
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	5: Extremely difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

Examples of HDL in Sentences

Here are examples of HDL in conversations:

Karen: See you tonight at 7.
Steph: OK. HDL

Simon: Mum, can I go to Kev's house after school to play for a while?
Mum: OK sweetheart. Be home by 7. OK?
Simon: Thanks. HDL

An Academic Look at HDL

HDL is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Aitch Dee Ell). However, it is not often uttered using its letters, as it is used for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech. Between native German speakers, the abbreviation HDL is likewise only used in writing. The abbreviation HDL is normally used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement) with the meaning "Hab Dich Liebe." HDL is not often used as another part of speech within a wider sentence.