寂しいです
sabishii desu
To say "I feel lonely" in Japanese, you use 寂しいです (sabishii desu).
This phrase is a statement used to express sadness caused by being alone or missing someone. In Japanese, the subject I is often omitted when the context makes it clear that you are the one feeling lonely.
Which one should you use?
While 寂しい is the most common way to express loneliness, the variant さびしい is also frequently used and carries the same meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase is just the adjective 寂しい without the polite copula です. To say "I do not feel lonely" in a polite way, change the adjective to its negative form 寂しくないです.
How do you pronounce it?
sabishii desu
Did you know?
- In certain poetic contexts, the word is linked to the concept of 'wabi', which finds a certain aesthetic beauty or spiritual depth in loneliness and simplicity.
- If you say 寂しい to a partner or close friend, you are often not just stating a fact about your mood, but are actually making a gentle request for more attention or affection.
- Depending on the region or speaker, the pronunciation can shift between sabishii and samishii, with the latter being a common phonetic variation that softens the sound.
Examples in context
- 一人でいると、寂しいです。Hitori de iru to, sabishii desu.I feel lonely when I am alone.
- あなたがいないので、寂しいです。Anata ga inai node, sabishii desu.I feel lonely because you are not here.
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their parents being away.
- 陽葵 Himariお父さんとお母さんがいなくて寂しいです。otousan to okaasan ga inakute sabishii desu.I feel lonely without Dad and Mom.
- 陽太 Yota僕も寂しいけど、大丈夫だよ。boku mo sabishii kedo, daijoubu dayo.I'm lonely too, but it's okay.
- 陽葵 Himari早く帰ってきてほしいです。hayaku kaette kite hoshii desu.I want them to come home soon.
- 陽太 Yota明日には帰ってくるよ。ashita ni wa kaette kuru yo.They will be back tomorrow.
