会いたい
aitai
To miss someone in Japanese is to say 会いたい (aitai).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 会いたい literally means "want to meet".
Which one should you use?
The word 会いたい focuses on your desire to see the person, whereas 寂しい focuses on the feeling of loneliness that their absence causes.
How do you pronounce it?
aitai
Did you know?
- While 会いたい expresses a desire to meet, Japanese people often avoid saying it directly to romantic partners to maintain 'enryo' or social restraint. They might instead describe a situation that reminds them of the person.
- The word 寂しい (sabishii), used to describe the loneliness of missing someone, can be spelled as 淋しい. The latter kanji is specifically associated with the coldness and solitude of a winter landscape.
- If you want to say you miss a place or a period of time rather than a person, you would typically use 懐かしい (natsukashii). This word describes a nostalgic feeling that is triggered by a memory.
Examples in context
- 山田さん、お目にかかれなくて寂しいです。Mr./Ms. Yamada, I feel lonely because I can't see you.
- 昨日のパーティー楽しかったよ。会いたいな。Yesterday's party was fun. I miss you.
- 家族に会いたい。Kazoku ni aitai.I miss my family.
- すごく会いたい人がいます。Sugoku aitai hito ga imasu.There is someone I really miss.
- 今はどうしても会いたい。Ima wa doushitemo aitai.I miss them so much right now.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking on the phone.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵に会いたいよ。Himari ni aitai yo.I miss you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari私も健太に会いたかった。Watashi mo Kenta ni aitakatta.I missed you too, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta来月、会いに行けるかな？Raigetsu, ai ni ikeru kana?I wonder if I can go see you next month?
- 陽葵 Himariぜひ来てね！Zehi kite ne!Please do come!
