manchi a qualcuno
To say "you miss someone" in Italian, the phrase is manchi a qualcuno.
This phrase is used to express the feeling of sadness or longing because a person is not with you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "you are missing to someone", because in Italian the person being missed is the subject of the verb mancare.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I miss you", you use mi manchi, where mi means "to me" and manchi means "you are missing". If you want to say you miss a third person, use mi manca (he/she/it is missing to me). For multiple people, the phrase Mi mancate is used to say "You (plural) are missed by me".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ti manco to mean "I miss you". However, ti manco actually means "I am missing to you", which translates to "you miss me".
Did you know?
- Italian uses the same verb mancare to describe the final few seconds or meters remaining before a goal or finish line.
- The verb mancare is used for both people and things, meaning you can say mi manca il caffè to say you miss your coffee.
- Because mancare shares its root with 'lack', the phrase mi manchi describes the other person as a missing piece of the speaker's world.
Examples in context
- Mi manca molto mia madre. Spero di rivederla presto.I miss my mother a lot. I hope to see her soon.
- Ciao Maria! Mi manchi davvero tanto.Hi Maria! I really miss you a lot.
- Marcello, mi sei mancato così tanto!Marcello, I missed you so much!
- Ragazzi, mi mancate un sacco!Guys, I miss you so much!
- Sicuramente manchi a qualcuno.Surely you are missed by someone.
- Non dimenticare che manchi a qualcuno.Don't forget that you are missed by someone.
Example conversation
Lorenzo is comforting Sofia during a difficult time.
- LorenzoNon essere triste, Sofia.Don't be sad, Sofia.
- SofiaÈ difficile sentirsi così sola.It is hard feeling so alone.
- LorenzoRicorda sempre che manchi a qualcuno.Always remember that you are missed by someone.
- SofiaGrazie, Lorenzo, ne ho bisogno.Thank you, Lorenzo, I need to hear that.
