ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณ
chan cha khit thueng khun
The English phrase "I will miss you" is expressed in Thai as ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณ (chan cha khit thueng khun).
This phrase is used to express that you will feel sadness because someone is no longer with you. In casual settings, you may also hear the shortened version คิดถึงนะ, which translates to "Miss you!" and is used to make the sentiment sound more affectionate or gentle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณ is composed of ฉัน (I), จะ (will), คิดถึง (to think of/to miss) and คุณ (you). The verb คิดถึง is a compound verb made of คิด (to think) and ถึง (to reach/to arrive at).
Which one should you use?
Using เธอ instead of คุณ makes the phrase more intimate or casual, such as between friends or lovers, as seen in ฉันจะคิดถึงเธอ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Thai uses different words for "I" depending on the speaker's gender and the desired level of formality. For males, using ผมจะคิดถึงคุณ with ผม (I) sounds more natural and polite. For females, ดิฉันจะคิดถึงคุณ uses ดิฉัน, which is a formal version of "I".
How do you pronounce it?
chan cha khit thueng khun
Did you know?
- While English uses 'miss' for both people and deadlines, คิดถึง is only for people or memories. If you 'miss' a bus or a target, Thai uses the word พลาด, meaning to slip or fail.
- The phrase คิดถึง is used for both 'I miss you' and 'I am thinking of you'. There is no linguistic distinction between the nostalgic pain of absence and the simple act of remembering someone.
- In very close relationships, Thai people might use nicknames or kinship terms like 'older brother' or 'younger sister' instead of คุณ or เธอ. This transforms 'I will miss you' into a family-oriented expression.
Examples in context
- คุณเป็นเพื่อนที่ดีและผมจะคิดถึงคุณYou are a good friend, and I will miss you.
- ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณมากนะchan cha khit thueng khun mak naI will miss you very much.
- ถ้าคุณไป ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณtha khun pai chan cha khit thueng khunIf you go, I will miss you.
- ฉันจะคิดถึงคุณตลอดเวลาเลยchan cha khit thueng khun ta-lot we-la loeiI will miss you all the time.
Example conversation
Teerapat is saying goodbye to Pimon at the airport.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatเดินทางปลอดภัยนะ พิมลdoen thang plot phai na, PhimonHave a safe trip, Pimon.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณค่ะ ธีรภัทรkhop khun kha, TeeraphatThank you, Teeraphat.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatฉันจะคิดถึงคุณนะchan cha khit thueng khun naI will miss you.
- พิมล Pimonฉันก็จะคิดถึงคุณเหมือนกันค่ะchan ko cha khit thueng khun muean kan khaI will miss you too.
