What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu me manques vraiment is literally structured as "you are missing to me", which reverses the logic used in English where "I" am the subject of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
While tu me manques vraiment is the standard way to say you really miss someone, you might use tu me manques tellement to replace "really" with "so much" for a slightly more emotional emphasis. For a much stronger intensity, you can say tu me manques vraiment beaucoup to mean "I really miss you a lot."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the slang expression Tu me manques en tabarnak is used to express intense longing.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone formally or to a group of people, you must use the vous form instead of tu. For example, use vous me manquez vraiment instead of the informal version.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to say Je te manque vraiment when you want to say "I really miss you". In French, saying "Je te manque" actually means "You miss me."
Did you know?
- The phrase tu me manques uses the verb manquer, which also means 'to miss' a target or 'to fail'. This implies that the person you miss is a missing piece of your own completeness.
- In Québec, the phrase Tu me manques en tabarnak uses a 'sacre', a type of swear word derived from Catholic terminology, to add extreme intensity to the feeling of longing.
- The word tu shares a common ancestor with the German du and Russian ты, meaning the informal 'you' is remarkably consistent across several major Indo-European language families.
Examples in context
- Tu me manques vraiment.I really miss you.Tatoeba #2392025 by sacredceltic, translation #2390859 by CK
- Tu me manques vraiment, mon amour.I really miss you, my love.
- Depuis ton départ, tu me manques vraiment.Since you left, I really miss you.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are talking on the phone during a long distance trip.
- LéaCoucou Lucas, tu me manques vraiment.Hi Lucas, I really miss you.
- LucasMoi aussi, tu me manques beaucoup, Léa.Me too, I miss you a lot, Léa.
- LéaQuand est-ce que tu reviens ?When are you coming back?
- LucasJe rentre la semaine prochaine.I am coming home next week.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, tu, vraiment, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
