Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 憧れる | akogareru | [a̠ko̞ɡa̠ɾe̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 恋い慕う | koishitau | |
| 寂しがる | sabishigaru |
The English verb 'miss' has many meanings that do not translate to a single Japanese word. Depending on whether you are expressing an internal feeling, an outward behavior or a romantic yearning, you will use different terms. For example, rather than using a direct translation of 'to miss someone' in conversation, Japanese speakers commonly use 会いたい, which means 'I want to see (you)'.
Which one should you use?
The forms provided differ significantly in their nuance: 憧れる is used to long for something as an ideal or to admire it. 恋い慕う is a poetic and intense way to express missing someone, often implying romantic yearning or deep devotion. 寂しがる describes the outward behavior of someone who is feeling lonely or showing signs of missing someone, rather than the internal feeling itself.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
akogareru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use a direct translation of 'miss' when you mean missing a target or an opportunity. To say you missed a chance, use 逃す and to say you missed a target, use 外す.
When do people say it?
In natural Japanese conversation, people rarely use a single verb to say they miss someone. Instead, they express the desire to see that person by saying 会いたい.
Did you know?
- The word 寂しがる is used to describe someone else's loneliness because in Japanese culture it is often considered presumptuous to claim to know exactly how another person feels internally.
- Because 会いたい ('I want to see you') is the common way to say 'I miss you', the phrase is often left unspoken in high-context situations where the longing is implied by the silence.
- The poetic term 恋い慕う combines 恋 (romantic love) and 慕う (to yearn for or follow), creating a nuance of devotion that is rarely heard in daily speech and mostly found in literature and songs.
Examples in context
- お嬢さん、お手伝いしましょうか？Miss, may I help you?
- 嬢ちゃん、何か食べたいものある？Miss, is there anything you want to eat?
Example conversation
Hana and Ren are talking about their childhood home.
- 陽葵 Himari田舎の景色が懐かしいね。Inaka no keshiki ga natsukashii ne.I miss the scenery of the countryside.
- 蓮 Renうん、僕もあそこに憧れるよ。Un, boku mo asoko ni akogareru yo.Yeah, I miss that place too.
- 陽葵 Himariまたいつか帰りたいね。Mata itsuka kaeritai ne.I want to go back someday.
- 蓮 Renそうだね。一緒に計画を立てよう。Sō da ne. Issho ni keikaku o tateyō.I agree. Let's make a plan together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “miss” translations and entries 憧れる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
