How to Say “I Wish You Were Here” in French

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j'aimerais que tu sois là
In French, "I wish you were here" is expressed as j'aimerais que tu sois là.
This phrase is used to tell someone that you miss them and want them to be in your current location.

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, j'aimerais que tu sois là translates to "I would like that you be there".

Which one should you use?

While là literally means "there", in this context it is the standard way to express "here" when referring to the speaker's current presence or situation.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The version j'aimerais que tu sois là uses "tu" and is appropriate for friends, family or romantic partners. For formal settings or when addressing someone you do not know well, you should use the version with "vous": j'aimerais que vous soyez là. Additionally, J'aimerais que vous soyez ici is a polite way to say "I would like you to be here". An informal way to express a stronger sentiment, roughly translated as "I really wish you were here", is J'aurais tellement voulu que tu sois ici.

How does it change in a sentence?

If you are speaking to more than one person or using the formal "vous", you must change the phrase to j'aimerais que vous soyez là.

Did you know?

  • The grave accent in là was added specifically to distinguish the word for 'there' from the word la, which means 'the'.
  • Using the phrase j'aimerais que tu sois là triggers the subjunctive mood in the verb être, which is the grammatical way French expresses wishes and desires.

Examples in context

  • J'aimerais que tu sois là.
    I wish you were here.
    Tatoeba #1213347 by sacredceltic, translation #3524759 by ConqueRRoR
  • J'aimerais que tu sois là avec moi.
    I wish you were here with me.
    Tatoeba #4235413 by sacredceltic, translation #4233617 by CK
  • J'aimerais que tu sois là avec moi en ce moment.
    I wish you were here with me now.
    Tatoeba #1555884 by sacredceltic, translation #1555437 by Spamster
  • J'aimerais que vous soyez ici pour partager ces moments précieux avec moi.
    I would like you to be here to share these precious moments with me.
  • Je souhaite que vous soyez ici pour soutenir nos efforts communs.
    I wish you were here to support our joint efforts.
  • J'aurais aimé que tu sois là pour cette fête incroyable.
    I would have liked you to be here for this amazing party.
  • J'aurais tellement voulu que tu sois ici lors de cette expérience inoubliable.
    I really wish you were here for this unforgettable experience.
  • Mon amour, j'aimerais que tu sois ici
    My love, I wish you were here

Example conversation

Emma is calling Lucas while looking at a beautiful sunset.

  1. Emma

    Le paysage est magnifique, j'aimerais que tu sois là.
    The landscape is beautiful, I wish you were here.
  2. Lucas

    Moi aussi, tu me manques beaucoup, Emma.
    Me too, I miss you a lot, Emma.
  3. Emma

    C'est tellement triste de se sentir seule ici.
    It is so sad to feel alone here.
  4. Lucas

    Je serai bientôt avec toi, promis.
    I will be with you soon, I promise.

Sources

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Larry Edward
Larry EdwardHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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