会いたい
aitai
In Japanese, "I want to see you" is expressed as 会いたい (aitai).
This phrase is used to express a desire to meet or spend time with someone. Unlike the English word "see", which can refer to looking at someone with your eyes, 会いたい specifically refers to meeting or encountering a person. In Japanese, the subject ("I") and the object ("you") are often omitted when the context makes it clear who is being discussed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 会いたい is composed of the verb 会う (au), meaning 'to meet' and the auxiliary suffix 〜たい (-tai), meaning 'want to'.
Which one should you use?
While 会いたい is the standard way to express this feeling, you can add the particle な to the end to create 会いたいな, which expresses a sense of longing or a soft, internal monologue. For a much stronger sense of longing, you can use 会いたくてたまらない！
How do you pronounce it?
aitai
Did you know?
- Japanese has no direct equivalent for 'I miss you'. Instead, 会いたい is the primary way to convey that feeling of void left by someone's absence.
- In Japanese, if you say you want to 'see' a person using the verb for vision, 見る (miru), it can sound as if you are treating them like an object or a specimen rather than a human being.
- In songs and poetry, 会いたい is frequently used to address someone who has passed away, acting as a poignant expression of grief and a wish for a reunion in the afterlife.
Examples in context
- 今夜、会いたいな。I want to see you tonight.This sentence shows how to express wanting to see someone tonight using 会いたい.Tatoeba #12591723 by small_snow, translation #10805874 by CK
- あなたにもう一度会いたいな。I want to see you again.This sentence uses 会いたい to express a desire to see someone again.Tatoeba #4229725 by bunbuku, translation #17494 by CK
- 会いたい。I want to see you.This sentence is a simple way to say you want to see someone using 会いたい.Tatoeba #157454 by KK_kaku_, translation #257078 by CK
- お忙しいかもしれませんが、お会いしたいです。You may be busy, but I would like to meet you.
- お忙しいでしょうけれど、お目にかかりたいです。I know you must be busy, but I would very much like to meet you.
- 久しぶり！会いたい！Long time no see! I want to see you!
- 明日会えるの？会いたくてたまらないよ！Can we meet tomorrow? I can't bear not seeing you!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking on the phone late at night.
- 結衣 Yuiねえ、健太。すごく会いたいよ。Nee, Kenta. Sugoku aitai yo.Hey, Kenta. I really want to see you.
- 健太 Kenta僕もだよ。明日、会えるかな？Boku mo da yo. Ashita, aeru kana?Me too. Do you think we can meet tomorrow?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、絶対に会いたい！Un, zettai ni aitai!Yes, I definitely want to see you!
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、また明日ね。Jaa, mata ashita ne.Well, see you tomorrow then.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
