What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally a combination of the verb 'au' (to meet) and the auxiliary '-tai' (want to).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version suitable for someone you are not on intimate terms with, use 会いたいです. In formal situations, you might say お会いできなくて寂しいです, which means "I feel lonely because we can't meet."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, the phrase あんたに会いたいわ。 means "I want to see you."
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle よ at the end adds emotional emphasis or a sense of telling the listener something important, creating 会いたいよ. To express that you missed someone (past tense), you change the ending to the past tense form 会いたかった.
How do you pronounce it?
aitai
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 恋しい to mean "I miss you" in a direct conversation, but 恋しい is an adjective used to describe a feeling of longing for a person or place, rather than a direct way to tell someone you want to see them.
Did you know?
- In Japanese songwriting and poetry, the concept of 'missing' someone is often expressed through imagery of the moon or wind rather than using a direct verb like 会いたい.
- In romantic relationships, Japanese couples may avoid saying 会いたい directly, instead using vague phrases like 'it is a shame we cannot meet' to express the same feeling.
- Because 会いたい explicitly states a desire to meet, it can sometimes be perceived as a request for a date rather than just a sentimental expression.
Examples in context
- 会いたいよ！I miss you!This example shows the use of the phrase with emotional emphasis.Tatoeba #13182085 by atitarev, translation #6055899 by sergiomelo
- 会いたくて寂しいよ。I'm lonely because I miss you.
- 太郎さんに会いたいな。I want to see Tarō.
- 早く会いたい。Hayaku aitai.I want to see you soon.
- ずっと会いたいと思っている。Zutto aitai to omotte iru.I have been wanting to see you for a long time.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple talking on the phone late at night.
- 陽葵 Himari最近、すごく会いたい。Saikin, sugoku aitai.I miss you so much lately.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕も、陽葵に会いたいよ。Boku mo, Himari ni aitai yo.I miss you too, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari週末に会えるかな？Shuumatsu ni aeru kana?Can we see each other this weekend?
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろん、楽しみにしてるね。Mochiron, tanoshimi ni shiteru ne.Of course, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
