μου λείπεις
mou leípeis
The phrase "miss you" in Greek is expressed as μου λείπεις (mou leípeis).
This phrase is used to express that you feel sadness because someone is not with you.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "you are missing to me". The word μου means "to me" and λείπεις means "you are missing".
Which one should you use?
In English, "I" is the subject of the sentence, but in the Greek phrase μου λείπεις, the person being missed is the grammatical subject.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form μου λείπεις is used when addressing one person informally. To say "I miss you" to a group of people or to one person using the formal/polite register, use μου λείπετε.
How do you pronounce it?
mou leípeis
Did you know?
- Greek has a specific noun, nostalgia, which comes from νόστος meaning 'homecoming' and ἄλγος meaning 'pain'.
- The verb λείπω is the same word used to say that something is 'left over', such as 'there is one piece of cake left'.
- The root of λείπω is shared with the word for 'leaving' or 'abandoning', suggesting that missing someone is linked to the act of them departing.
Examples in context
- Μου λείπεις.I miss you.This sentence is useful for stating that you miss someone.Tatoeba #1285914 by enteka, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- Φίλε Γιάννη, μου λείπεις πολύ.My friend John, I miss you very much.
- Φίλε Πέτρο, μου λείπεις πολύ.My friend Petros, I miss you very much.
- Αδερφή μου, μου λείπεις πολύ.My sister, I miss you very much.
- Μου λείπεις πολύ, φίλε μου.Mou leipeis poli, file mou.I miss you a lot, my friend.
- Μου λείπεις κάθε μέρα.Mou leipeis kathe mera.I miss you every day.
Example conversation
Two friends talking on the phone.
- Μαρία MariaΓεια σου Δημήτρη! Μου λείπεις πολύ.Geia sou Dimitri! Mou leipeis poly.Hello Dimitris! I miss you a lot.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚαι εμένα μου λείπεις, Μαρία.Kai emena mou leipeis, Maria.I miss you too, Maria.
- Μαρία MariaΠότε θα τα πούμε από κοντά;Pote tha ta poume apo konta?When will we see each other in person?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕλπίζω σύντομα!Elpizo syntoma!I hope soon!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
