Saying "I believe you" means "I believe what you said is true". There are no interpretations that are contrary to that. Yes, you can modulate the strength of

Saying "I believe you" means "I believe what you said is true". There are no interpretations that are contrary to that. Yes, you can modulate the strength of your belief but they're all beliefs that the statement is true. The great-grandparent comment (the one whose meaning this discussion was about) was implying something other than belief in the truth of the statement.