Tęsknię za tobą
In Polish, "miss you" is expressed as Tęsknię za tobą.
Used to tell someone that you feel sadness because they are not with you.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tęsknić literally means "to long for" or "to yearn for", and it always requires the preposition za followed by the instrumental case.
Which one should you use?
The phrase changes based on who you are talking to: use tobą for one person you know well, and Wami for a group of people you know well.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Tęsknię za tobą for one person you know well, and Tęsknię za Wami for a group of people you know well. In formal singular settings, replace tobą with Panem (to a man) or Panią (to a woman). For a formal group, use Tęsknię za Państwem.
When do people say it?
In written correspondence like letters or emails, capitalizing the 'T' in Tobą is a common way to show extra respect to the recipient.
Did you know?
- Unlike English where 'miss' can mean failing to hit a target, the Polish verb tęsknić is strictly reserved for emotional longing and cannot be used for missing a bus or a target.
- While tęsknić is the standard word for 'miss', Poles also use the phrase brakuje mi ciebie, which literally means 'you are lacking to me'.
- The root of tęsknić is linked to an ancient word for 'anxiety' or 'oppression', suggesting that the Polish concept of missing someone is closely tied to a feeling of inner heaviness.
Examples in context
- Pamiętaj, że cię kocham i tęsknię za tobą.Remember that I love you and miss you.This sentence shows how to combine 'miss you' with 'I love you'.Tatoeba #13225559 by katix824, translation #2629009 by Joseph
- Tęsknię za tobą. Chciałbym się z tobą zobaczyć. Mogę przyjść?I miss you. I need to see you. Could I come over?This sentence uses the phrase to express a desire to see someone and a suggestion to visit.Tatoeba #966975 by zipangu, translation #953531 by CK
- Tęsknię za Tobą.I miss you.This is a simple way to say 'I miss you' with a capitalized pronoun for respect.Tatoeba #502300 by mwgamera, translation #1308 by brauliobezerra
- Naprawdę tęsknię za Tobą.I really miss you
- Bardzo mi Ciebie brakuje.I miss you a lot
- Tęsknię za Wami.I miss you all
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Katarzyna is calling Tomasz on the phone while he is away on a business trip.
- KatarzynaTęsknię za tobą, Tomaszu.I miss you, Tomasz.
- TomaszJa też bardzo za tobą tęsknię.I miss you very much too.
- KatarzynaKiedy wrócisz do domu?When will you return home?
- TomaszWrócę w piątek wieczorem.I will be back on Friday evening.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
