Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chybíš mi | [xɪbiːʃ mɪ] (narrow) | informal |
| chybíte mi | [xɪbiːtɛ mɪ] (narrow) | formal |
To express that you missed a male in the past, use chyběl jsi mi and to express that you missed a female in the past, use chyběla jsi mi.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase chybíš mi literally translates to "you are missing to me", where the person being missed is the subject of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
chybíš mi is the informal form used for one friend, family member or romantic partner. chybíte mi is used when speaking to someone you address formally or when addressing a group of people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use chybíš mi in informal situations. Use chybíte mi in formal situations or when addressing multiple people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, the person who is absent is the grammatical subject of the sentence.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use já (I) as the subject by saying something like "já tě chybím". In Czech, you must make the person who is absent the subject of the sentence.
Did you know?
- While chybíš mi is the standard translation, Czechs often use the word stýskat to express longing. Stýská mi po tobě is a common alternative that emphasizes the feeling of nostalgia rather than the absence.
- The verb chybět can also mean 'to be wrong' or 'to err', such as when someone makes a mistake in a calculation or a logical argument.
- In certain contexts, saying chybí mi to can mean 'I miss it' (referring to an activity or a thing), but it can also be used idiomaticially to mean 'I am bored' or 'I feel a lack of something'.
Examples in context
- Chybíš mi, když tu nejsi.I miss you when you're not here.This sentence is useful for expressing that you miss someone specifically when they are not present.Tatoeba #3441129 by nueby, translation #1329779 by CK
- Chybíš mi.I miss you.This sentence is a simple way to say "I miss you".Tatoeba #3362193 by nueby, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kateřina and Jan are talking on the phone.
- KateřinaAhoj Jani, chybíš mi.Hi Jan, I miss you.
- JanAhoj Kateřino, ty mně taky.Hi Kateřina, I miss you too.
- KateřinaKdy se uvidíme?When will we see each other?
- JanDoufám, že už brzy.I hope very soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I miss you” translations and entries chybíš mi, chybíte mi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
