寂しいです
sabishii desu
The English phrase 'we miss you' can be expressed in Japanese as 寂しいです (sabishii desu).
This phrase is used to express sadness because someone is not present. Because Japanese lacks a direct verb for 'to miss someone', this expression focuses on the feeling of loneliness. The word 恋しい means miss or long for.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally translated as 'I am lonely' or 'It is lonely', as Japanese lacks a direct verb for 'to miss someone'.
How do you pronounce it?
sabishii desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to find a word for 'we' to say 'we miss you', but in Japanese, the subject is usually omitted and the focus is on the speaker's feeling of loneliness.
Did you know?
- In Japanese aesthetics, the concept of 侘寂 or 'wabi-sabi' uses the same character for loneliness 寂. In this context, 寂 is not a negative feeling but a positive appreciation of the beauty found in imperfection and solitude.
- While 寂しい describes the feeling of missing someone, Japanese has a distinct word 切ない that describes a more painful, heart-wrenching longing. This term refers to a sadness so deep it feels like your chest is tightening.
- In poetry and song lyrics, the feeling of missing someone is often attributed to the atmosphere rather than the person. A speaker might describe the 'loneliness of the autumn wind' to signal that they miss a specific individual.
Examples in context
- あなたがいないと寂しいです。Anata ga inai to sabishii desu.I miss you when you are not here.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking on the phone.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、元気にしてる？Kenta, genki ni shiteru?Kenta, how are you doing?
- 健太 Kenta元気だよ。美咲に会えなくて寂しいです。Genki dayo. Misaki ni aenakute sabishii desu.I'm good. I miss you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki私もだよ。早く会いたいね。Watashi mo dayo. Hayaku aitai ne.I miss you too. I want to see you soon.
- 健太 Kentaうん、来月まで待とう。Un, raigetsu made matou.Yeah, let's wait until next month.
