みんながいなくて寂しい
minna ga inakute sabishii
The English phrase "I miss you guys" is translated into Japanese as みんながいなくて寂しい (minna ga inakute sabishii).
This phrase is used to tell a group of people that you feel sad because they are not with you. While English uses a verb to express this, Japanese expresses the feeling by describing the emotional state caused by the group's absence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "everyone is not here and (I feel) lonely".
Which one should you use?
The phrase みんながいなくて寂しい describes a feeling of loneliness caused by absence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or polite tone, you should use 皆(みな)さんがいなくて寂(さび)しいです。 or 皆(みな)さんが恋(こい)しいです。 In casual, informal settings, you can use 皆(みんな)が恋(こい)しいよ。 for a simple expression of longing or 皆(みんな)がいなくて寂(さび)しいよ。 to add a touch of sadness and a stronger sense of missing the group. Adding the particle よ (yo) to the end of a phrase makes it sound more personal and emotive in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
It is used here to connect the state of people being absent with the resulting feeling of loneliness.
How do you pronounce it?
minna ga inakute sabishii
Did you know?
- The concept of 寂しい (sabishii) is closely related to the aesthetic of 侘寂 (wabi-sabi), which finds beauty in imperfection, loneliness and the passage of time.
- Depending on the region of Japan, some speakers use 寂しい (sabishii) and 寂しい (samishii) interchangeably, though the latter is a more colloquial variation.
- The adjective 寂しい (sabishii) can also be used to describe a place that looks desolate or a conversation that lacks substance, rather than just a feeling of missing someone.
Examples in context
- うん、本当(ほんとう)にみんなが恋しい。Yeah, I really miss you guys.
- ああ、私も皆のことが懐かしい。Yeah, I also miss everyone dearly.
- みんながいなくて寂しいです。Minna ga inakute sabishii desu.I miss you guys.
- 一人だと、みんながいなくて寂しいよ。Hitori da to, minna ga inakute sabishii yo.When I am alone, I miss you guys.
- また集まりたい。みんながいなくて寂しい。Mata atsumaritai. Minna ga inakute sabishii.I want to get together again. I miss you guys.
Example conversation
Two former classmates are talking on a video call.
- 大翔 Hiroto最近、みんながいなくて寂しいよ。Saikin, minna ga inakute sabishii yo.Lately, I miss you guys.
- 結衣 Yui私も、大翔くんに会いたいな。Watashi mo, Hiroto-kun ni aitai na.I want to see you too, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto今度、みんなで集まろう。Kondo, minna de atsumarou.Let's all get together sometime soon.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、絶対にそうしよう！Un, zettai ni sou shiyou!Yes, let's definitely do that!
