Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| μου λείπεις | mou leípeis |
| σ’ επιθύμησα | s’ epithýmisa |
| σε πεθύμησα | se pethýmisa |
If you want to convey a much stronger, more intense emotional weight of longing or yearning, you can use σε πεθύμησα or σ’ επιθύμησα.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase μου λείπεις literally translates to "you are missing to me", where the person being missed functions as the subject of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
While μου λείπεις is the standard, everyday way to say "I miss you", σε πεθύμησα is in the aorist (past) tense and is often used when you have just reunited with someone to express how much you longed for them during their absence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Thessaloniki, the expression Μου λείπεισ is used instead of Μου λείπεις.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I miss you" to more than one person or to someone you address formally, you must use the plural/formal form Μου λείπετε.
How do you pronounce it?
mou leípeis
Did you know?
- The word επιθύμησα in σ’ επιθύμησα shares the same root as the Greek word for 'desire' (επιθυμία), giving it a much more passionate or erotic undertone than a simple 'I miss you'.
- While σε πεθύμησα expresses longing, the root word πεθύμησα is closely linked to the Greek word for 'grief' or 'mourning' (πένθος).
- The standard phrase μου λείπεις uses a verb that also means 'to be absent' or 'to be missing' in the sense of a missing piece of a puzzle or a missing tooth.
Examples in context
- Μου λείπεις.I miss you.This sentence is useful for expressing that you miss someone.Tatoeba #1285914 by enteka, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- Μου λείπεις, αγάπη μουI miss you, my love
- Μου λείπεις πολύ, αγάπη μου.Mou leipeis poli, agapi mou.I miss you a lot, my love.
- Ξέρεις ότι μου λείπεις κάθε μέρα.Xereis oti mou leipeis kathe mera.You know that I miss you every day.
Example conversation
George and Eleni are talking on the phone after a long time apart.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΓεια σου, Ελένη. Μου λείπεις πολύ.Geia sou, Eleni. Mou leipeis poli.Hello, Eleni. I miss you a lot.
- Ελένη EleniΚι εσένα, Γιώργο. Μου λείπεις και εσύ.Ki esena, Giorgo. Mou leipeis kai esy.And you, George. I miss you too.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΘέλω να σε δω σύντομα.Thelo na se do sintoma.I want to see you soon.
- Ελένη EleniΘα τα πούμε αύριο.Tha ta poume avrio.We will talk tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i miss you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
