я скучаю по тебе
ya skuchayu po tebe
The English phrase "I miss you" is translated into Russian as я скучаю по тебе (ya skuchayu po tebe).
This phrase is used to express that you miss someone.
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, я скучаю по тебе translates to "I miss along you" or "I am longing after you".
Which one should you use?
я скучаю по тебе is used for a single person you know well, while я скучаю по вам is used when addressing more than one person or using the formal "you". Additionally, you may encounter the phrase Мне не хватает тебя (informal) or Мне не хватает вас (formal), which literally mean "I am lacking you" and are also used to express missing someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form я скучаю по тебе uses the informal singular "you" (тебе). If you are addressing more than one person or using the formal "you", you should use я скучаю по вам.
How do you pronounce it?
ya skuchayu po tebe
Did you know?
- The verb скучать can be used without any other words to simply mean 'to be bored'. Because of this, saying я скучаю without specifying who you miss can be interpreted as 'I am bored'.
- The phrase я скучаю по тебе is often replaced in romantic songs by the word тоска, which describes a spiritual anguish or yearning that is much heavier than 'missing' someone.
- Because Russian has a formal 'you', you must be careful: saying я скучаю по тебе to a teacher or boss would be considered unintentionally rude or overly intimate.
Examples in context
- Я скучаю по тебе!I miss you.This sentence uses я скучаю по тебе to show a direct expression of missing someone.Tatoeba #6057353 by marafon, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- Я скучаю по тебе, Том.I miss you, Tom.This sentence uses я скучаю по тебе to show how to address a specific person by name.Tatoeba #5784953 by nina99nv, translation #1887572 by CK
- Мама, я скучаю по тебе.Mom, I miss you.This sentence uses я скучаю по тебе to show how to address a family member.Tatoeba #13378706 by marafon, translation #13377781 by Igider
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergei and Maria are talking on the phone late at night.
- Сергей SergeyПривет, Мария. Как ты?Privet, Mariya. Kak ty?Hi, Maria. How are you?
- Мария MariaВсё хорошо, Сергей, но я скучаю по тебе.Vsyo khorosho, Sergey, no ya skuchayu po tebe.Everything is fine, Sergei, but I miss you.
- Сергей SergeyЯ тоже очень скучаю по тебе.Ya tozhe ochen' skuchayu po tebe.I miss you very much too.
- Мария MariaСкоро увидимся.Skoro uvidimsya.We will see each other soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
