もう寂しい
mō sabishii
The English phrase "I miss you already" is translated into Japanese as もう寂しい (mō sabishii).
In Japanese, the concept of 'missing someone' is often expressed through the feeling of being 'lonely' (sabishii) rather than a direct translation of 'missing' a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of もう (already) and 寂しい (lonely/lonely feeling).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use もう寂しいです to be polite and suitable for someone you are not on intimate terms with. For a more intense, informal expression, you might use もう会いたくてたまらない, which means "I can't bear not seeing you anymore."
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle よ to the end of もう寂しい adds an emotional emphasis or a sense of telling the person how you feel to create もう寂しいよ.
How do you pronounce it?
mō sabishii
Did you know?
- The word 寂しい is closely related to the aesthetic concept of わびさび ('wabi-sabi'), which finds beauty in imperfection and solitude.
- Using the polite form もう寂しいです is actually quite rare in romantic contexts because the politeness creates a psychological distance. Lovers will almost always drop the です to sound more vulnerable.
- In Japanese culture, expressing a feeling like 寂しい is often considered a way of praising the other person's company rather than just complaining about loneliness.
Examples in context
- 別れたばかりなのに、もう寂しい。Wakareta bakari nano ni, mou sabishii.We just parted, and I miss you already.
- 帰ったばかりなのに、もう寂しいよ。Kaetta bakari nano ni, mou sabishii yo.You just left, and I miss you already.
- 明日から会えないなんて、もう寂しいです。Ashita kara aenai nante, mou sabishii desu.Since I won't see you from tomorrow, I miss you already.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are saying goodbye at the train station.
- 健太 Kentaバイバイ、気をつけてね。Bai bai, ki o tsukete ne.Bye bye, take care.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、またね。健太も元気で。Un, mata ne. Kenta mo genki de.Yeah, see you. Take care too, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、さよなら。もう寂しいよ。Misaki, sayonara. Mou sabishii yo.Misaki, goodbye. I miss you already.
- 美咲 Misakiふふ、私もだよ。Fufu, watashi mo da yo.Hehe, me too.
