寂しいです
sabishii desu
In Japanese, "I miss you" is expressed as 寂しいです (sabishii desu).
Japanese does not have a direct equivalent to the English verb "to miss". Instead, speakers express the feeling of loneliness caused by a person's absence. While 寂しいです focuses on this feeling of loneliness, it is also very common to express the sentiment by saying you want to see the person, using forms like 会いたい (I want to see/meet you).
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "I am lonely".
Which one should you use?
寂しいです expresses the internal feeling of being lonely, whereas 会いたい (I want to see/meet you) is a common way to communicate the desire to see the person you miss.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express "I missed you" in the past tense, use the past tense form 寂しかったです. For a very strong emotional tone suggesting you cannot bear being without the person, you can use 会いたくてたまらない.
How do you pronounce it?
sabishii desu
Did you know?
- The concept of 'missing someone' in Japanese is deeply tied to the aesthetic of 'mono no aware', an awareness of the transience of things and the gentle sadness of parting.
- Using 会いたい in a romantic context is often considered a very strong confession of feelings, sometimes carrying as much weight as saying 'I love you'.
- The adjective 寂しい is often used in literature to describe not just people, but also scenery, such as a 'lonely' autumn wind or a 'lonely' mountain path.
Examples in context
- 田中さんに会いたいです。I miss Tanaka-san.
- 一緒にいたいですし、会いたいです。I want to be together and I miss you.
- 会えなくて寂しいです。Aenakute sabishii desu.I miss you because I can't see you.
- あなたが遠くにいて寂しいです。Anata ga tooku ni ite sabishii desu.I miss you because you are far away.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking on the phone while living in different cities.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんに会いたいです。寂しいです。Kenta-san ni aitai desu. Sabishii desu.I want to see you, Kenta. I miss you.
- 健太 Kenta僕も美咲さんに会いたいです。Boku mo Misaki-san ni aitai desu.I want to see you too, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki次はいつ会えますか？Tsugi wa itsu aemasu ka?When can we see each other next?
- 健太 Kenta来月会いに行きますね。Raigetsu ai ni ikimasu ne.I will go to see you next month.
