보고 싶어
The English phrase "missing you" is expressed in Korean as 보고 싶어.
Literally, it translates to "I want to see you."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 보다 (to see) and the auxiliary verb 싶다 (to want to), meaning "I want to see (you)".
Which one should you use?
While 보고 싶어 is the default form, it is the informal version. A colloquial, shortened version of this phrase is 보고파, which also means "I miss you".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to people you are not on intimate terms with, you can add the suffix '-요' to the end of 보고 싶어 to get 보고 싶어요. For a highly formal version, use 보고 싶습니다.
Did you know?
- Because Korean is a high-context language, the phrase 보고 싶어 can be used to mean 'I miss you' even if the person you are talking to is standing right in front of you.
- The word 보고 in this phrase is a homonym with the Sino-Korean word for 'report' or 'information' 報告.
- Using the highly formal 보고 싶습니다 can sometimes create a humorous or overly dramatic effect between romantic partners, as if they are in a period drama.
Examples in context
- 너를 만나서 너무 행복했어. 보고 싶어!I was so happy when I met you. I miss you!
- 우리 함께 먹었던 음식이 그립다. 보고 싶어!I miss the food we had together. I miss you!
- 너무 보고 싶어.neomu bogo sipeo.I miss you so much.
- 나도 보고 싶어.nado bogo sipeo.I miss you too.
- 갑자기 보고 싶어.gapjagi bogo sipeo.I suddenly miss you.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are talking on the phone late at night.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 너무 보고 싶어.subin-a, neomu bogo sipeo.Subin, I miss you so much.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우야, 나도 보고 싶어.hyunwoo-ya, nado bogo sipeo.Hyunwoo, I miss you too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo내일 만날 수 있어?naeil mannal su isseo?Can we meet tomorrow?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 내일 꼭 만나자.eung, naeil kkok mannaja.Yes, let's definitely meet tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보고, CC BY-SA 4.0.
