みんなに会いたい
minna ni aitai
The Japanese phrase for "I miss everyone" is みんなに会いたい (minna ni aitai).
This phrase is used to express a strong desire to see and spend time with a group of people again. In Japanese, instead of using a single word for "miss," speakers often use the verb "to want to meet" to convey this feeling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase みんなに会いたい is literally "everyone to meet want" (minna ni aitai).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you missed everyone in the past, change the verb ending to the past tense みんなに会いたかった. You can also add the particle な to the end of the phrase to create みんなに会いたいな, which expresses a soft, emotive sense of longing or a sigh-like quality.
How do you pronounce it?
minna ni aitai
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not attempt to translate "miss" directly by using the adjective for lonely with an object, such as みんなを寂しい. This is grammatically incorrect.
Did you know?
- If you are missing a group of people you cannot possibly meet, such as deceased ancestors or historical figures, you would not use 会いたい. Instead, you might use terms relating to 'longing' or 'yearning' that don't imply a physical meeting.
- In very formal settings or when speaking to superiors, saying 会いたい can sound too demanding or childish. Instead, speakers might use お会いしたいです to show proper respect through honorific language.
- The word みんな ('minna') is a contraction of the older word 皆々 ('minamina'). In historical texts or very formal speeches, you may still encounter the longer version to emphasize every single person in a group.
Examples in context
- みんなに会いたいな。minna ni aitai na.I miss everyone.
- 今はみんなに会いたい気持ちでいっぱいです。ima wa minna ni aitai kimochi de ippai desu.Right now, I just want to see everyone so much.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking on the phone after moving to different cities.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、元気？Yui, genki?Yui, how are you?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、元気だよ。蓮はどう？un, genki da yo. Ren wa dou?Yeah, I'm fine. How about you, Ren?
- 蓮 Ren僕は最近、みんなに会いたいと思ってる。boku wa saikin, minna ni aitai to omotteru.Lately, I've been missing everyone.
- 結衣 Yui私も！近いうちに集まろうよ。watashi mo! chikai uchi ni atsumarou yo.Me too! Let's all get together soon.
