SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to With Friends

German Phrase

Ich freu mich so drauf!

/ɪç fʁɔʏ̯ mɪç zoː dʁaʊ̯/
Meaning"I’m really looking forward to it!"
💡

Meaning

The speaker expresses strong excitement or anticipation for something that is about to happen. It is the informal way of saying ‘I’m really looking forward to it!’

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, family, or peers when you want to show genuine enthusiasm about an upcoming event, a movie, a trip, or any activity you’re eager to experience.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichfreumichsodrauf!

1

Pronoun Ich

First‑person singular subject pronoun, always capitalised in German.

2

freu (freuen)

Colloquial short form of the verb freuen ‘to be glad’. It is a reflexive verb and must be followed by a reflexive pronoun.

3

mich (reflexive pronoun)

Accusative reflexive pronoun that matches the subject Ich; required with freuen.

4

so (intensifier)

Adds emphasis, roughly ‘so much / really’. It can be omitted without changing the basic meaning.

5

drauf (colloquial darauf)

A contracted prepositional adverb meaning ‘for it / about it’. It replaces the more formal darauf and is used only in spoken, informal German.

6

Verb‑object order

In main clauses the finite verb (freu) occupies the second position; the reflexive pronoun follows it.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich freu mich so drauf!

I’m really looking forward to it!

Ich auch – das wird super!

Me too – it’s going to be great!

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich freue mich so drauf!

    In informal speech the short form ‘freu’ is preferred; using the full ‘freue’ is not wrong but sounds less natural in this phrase.

  • Ich freu mich so auf das.

    ‘drauf’ already contains the preposition ‘auf’; adding another ‘auf’ creates a double preposition error.

  • Ich freu mir so drauf.

    ‘Freuen’ is reflexive with the accusative pronoun ‘mich’; using the dative ‘mir’ is a common mistake for beginners.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich freue mich sehr darauf.

    I’m very excited about it.

  • Ich kann es kaum erwarten.

    I can’t wait.

  • Ich bin total gespannt.

    I’m totally excited.

de

Cultural Tip

‘Ich freu mich so drauf!’ is pure spoken German. The contracted ‘freu’ and ‘drauf’ are typical of everyday chat, especially among younger speakers. In a formal email or presentation you would replace them with the full forms: ‘Ich freue mich sehr darauf.’ Using the colloquial version in a business setting can sound too casual, so keep it for informal contexts.