보고 싶어
bogo sipeo
The English phrase "I miss you" is translated into Korean as 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo).
It focuses on the desire to see the person you are missing.
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 보고 싶어 means "want to see". It is composed of the verb 보다 (to see) and the grammar structure -고 싶다 (to want to).
Which one should you use?
While 보고 싶어 is the common way to say you miss someone by focusing on the desire to see them, 그리워 is a more poetic and deep expression used to convey longing or nostalgia for someone or something.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can express that you have been missing someone over a period of time leading up to the present by using the past tense form 보고 싶었어. Additionally, adding the suffix -요 to the end of the phrase creates the polite version 보고 싶어요.
How do you pronounce it?
bogo sipeo
Did you know?
- In Korean, the subject 'I' and the object 'you' are often omitted entirely when saying 보고 싶어, leaving only the verb phrase to carry the meaning.
- In very formal or poetic settings, you might encounter the word 사모하다, which describes a profound, almost worshipful longing for someone.
- The phrase 보고 싶어 is often used in romantic K-dramas to signal a confession of feelings, rather than just a casual statement of missing a friend.
Examples in context
- 보고 싶어.I miss you.Tatoeba #5368 by 0ni, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- 보고 싶어!I miss you!Tatoeba #13182098 by atitarev, translation #6055899 by sergiomelo
- 야, 정말 보고파!Hey, I really miss you!
- 오빠, 보고 싶어.Oppa, I miss you.
- 너무 보고 싶어.neomu bogo sipeo.I miss you so much.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking on the phone late at night.
- 지훈 Ji-hun잘 자, 수빈아.jal ja, subin-a.Good night, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 지훈아 너도 잘 자.eung, jihoon-a neodo jal ja.Yeah, good night to you too, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나 사실 보고 싶어.na sasil bogo sipeo.Actually, I miss you.
- 수빈 Su-bin나도 정말 보고 싶어.nado jeongmal bogo sipeo.I miss you too, really.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
