What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb sentir (to feel), the noun saudade (a deep longing/nostalgia) and the pronoun vocês (you plural).
Which one should you use?
The phrase can also be expressed using the verb estar (to be) combined with the preposition com (with), resulting in estou com saudades de vocês. For a more intense, informal feeling, you can say estou morrendo de saudades de vocês, which translates to "I'm dying of missing you guys".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be relaxed and colloquial, you can use Tô com saudade de vocês. In extremely formal or archaic contexts, one might use sinto saudades de vós, though vós is rarely used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese where vocês is the standard. For a formal setting, Sinto a vossa falta is a way to say "I miss you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In European Portuguese, especially in Portugal, the formal expression Sinto a vossa falta is more common. The contraction tô used in Tô com saudade de vocês is commonly used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the default form uses the plural saudades, it is also grammatically correct and common to use the singular saudade in this expression.
Did you know?
- While vocês is the standard way to say 'you guys' in Brazil, it actually evolved from the formal 'your mercies' (vossas mercês) in older forms of the language.
- The word saudade is often cited as one of the most difficult words in the world to translate because it describes a longing for something or someone that may never return.
- The word saudade is believed by some linguists to have roots in the Latin word solitudo, meaning 'solitude'.
Examples in context
- Caros colegas de trabalho, sinto a vossa falta desde a última vez que nos reunimos.Dear coworkers, I miss you guys since the last time we gathered.
- Prezados amigos, estou com saudades de vocês! Espero revê-los em breve.Dear friends, I miss you guys! Hope to see you soon.
- Ei, pessoal! Estou morrendo de saudades de vocês. Mal posso esperar para nos reunirmos novamente.Hey, guys! I'm dying of missing you. Can't wait to get together again.
- Galera, tô com saudade de vocês demais! Vamos marcar algo em breve.Guys, I miss you so much! Let's plan something soon.
- Eu sinto saudades de vocês todos os dias.I miss you guys every single day.
- Sinto saudades de vocês desde que mudei.I miss you guys since I moved.
Example conversation
Camila and Lucas are talking on a video call.
- CamilaOi, Lucas! Sinto saudades de vocês.Hi, Lucas! I miss you guys.
- LucasNós também sentimos saudades de você, Camila.We miss you too, Camila.
- CamilaQuando vamos nos ver de novo?When are we going to see each other again?
- LucasEm breve, eu prometo!Soon, I promise!
