会いたい
The English phrase 'miss you' is expressed in Japanese as 会いたい.
Because Japanese does not have a direct equivalent for the emotional concept of 'missing' someone in this context, 会いたい is the standard way to express that you miss someone's presence. Other ways to express longing include the informal phrase 寂しい for friends or family, the straightforward 会いたいな to say 'I want to see you' or the more expressive 会いたくてしょうがない to convey a strong desire to meet someone.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 会いたい means 'want to meet'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While 会いたい is a common form, you can make it more emotive and personal by adding the particle 'yo' to the end, as in 会いたいよ, which is commonly used with close friends or romantic partners. To use the expression with someone you are not on intimate terms with, you should use the polite form 会いたいです.
Did you know?
- In romantic Japanese songwriting and poetry, longing is often expressed through the concept of 逢いたい. This uses a rare kanji character specifically reserved for meeting someone you love or have a deep emotional bond with.
- The phrase 会いたい is often used in Japanese romantic 'confessions' indirectly. Instead of saying 'I love you', a person might say 'I want to see you' to signal their deep affection.
- While 会いたい is used for people, Japanese speakers use the word 恋しい when they 'miss' a place, a food or a time in their life.
Examples in context
- 会いたいよ！I miss you!This sentence is useful for seeing an expressive way to say 'I miss you' using the form 会いたい.Tatoeba #13182085 by atitarev, translation #6055899 by sergiomelo
- 会えなくて寂しいです。お目にかかりたいです。I am lonely without being able to see you. I would like to see you again.
- 出張が長引いて、皆さんにお会いしたくてたまりません。My business trip has been extended, and I can't stand not seeing all of you.
- 寂しいな。いつ会えるかな？I'm feeling lonely. When will we be able to meet?
- 最近全然会えなくて、本当に会いたいな。Lately, we haven't been able to meet at all, and I really want to see you.
- もう何ヶ月も会ってないから、会いたくてしょうがないんだよ。It's been several months since we last met, so I can't help but want to see you.
- 早く会いたい。Hayaku aitai.I want to see you soon.
- ずっと会いたいと思っている。Zutto aitai to omotte iru.I have been wanting to see you.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two long-distance partners are talking on the phone.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、すごく会いたいよ。Ren-kun, sugoku aitai yo.Ren, I really miss you.
- 蓮 Ren僕も、結衣に会いたい。Boku mo, Yui ni aitai.I miss you too, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui来月、やっと会えるね。Raigetsu, yatto aeru ne.We can finally see each other next month.
- 蓮 Renうん、楽しみにしてるよ。Un, tanoshimi ni shiteru yo.Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
