보고 싶어요
bogo sipeoyo
The English phrase "we miss you" is expressed in Korean as 보고 싶어요 (bogo sipeoyo).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you feel sadness because they are not with you. In Korean, the subject "I" and the object "you" are often omitted from this phrase because they are implied by the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally a combination of the verb 보다 (to see) and the auxiliary verb 싶다 (to want to). Literally, it translates to "I want to see (you)".
Which one should you use?
보고 싶습니다 and 그리워합니다 are formal expressions used to say "we miss you". For casual settings, 보고 싶어 or 보고파 can be used to mean "I miss you" or "I want to see you".
How do you pronounce it?
bogo sipeoyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use a specific verb for "to miss", but in Korean, the standard way to express this feeling is to say you "want to see" the person.
Did you know?
- In a professional Korean office, if you say 보고 without the auxiliary verb 싶다, your boss will think you are talking about a business report.
- The verb 그립다 describes a state of longing that is often considered an adjective in Korean grammar, rather than an action you perform.
- If you want to say you miss your hometown or a distant memory, avoid using 보고 싶어요. Instead, use the verb 그립다, as 'wanting to see' is generally reserved for living beings rather than places or concepts.
Examples in context
- 철수 선생님, 보고 싶습니다.Teacher Cheol-su, we miss you.
- 민지 언니, 보고 싶어요.Min-ji, we miss you.
- 정말 보고 싶어요.jeongmal bogo sipeoyo.I really miss you.
- 친구들이 모두 보고 싶어요.chingudeuri modu bogo sipeoyo.I miss all my friends.
- 엄마가 너무 보고 싶어요.eommaga neomu bogo sipeoyo.I miss my mom so much.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking on the phone.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 정말 보고 싶어요.Hyunwoo-ssi, jeongmal bogo sipeoyo.Hyunwoo, I really miss you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도 민지 씨가 보고 싶어요.Jeodo Minji-ssiga bogo sipeoyo.I miss you too, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji언제 만날 수 있어요?Eonje mannall su isseoyo?When can we meet?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이번 주말에 만나요.Ibeon jumare mannayo.Let's meet this weekend.
