15 Ways to Say “I Miss You” in Chinese

Expressing feelings of longing and missing someone is a universal human experience. In the Chinese language, there are various ways to convey the sentiment of “I miss you.” This article will explore 15 different expressions used in Chinese to convey the feeling of missing someone. Through analysis, explanation, and illustrative examples, we will delve into the richness and nuances of these phrases, enabling you to communicate your emotions effectively in Mandarin Chinese.

  1. 我想你了 (Wǒ xiǎng nǐ le):
    Translation: I miss you.
    Explanation: This is the most common and straightforward way to express “I miss you” in Chinese.
    Example: 我出差很久了,真的很想你。(Wǒ chūchāi hěn jiǔ le, zhēn de hěn xiǎng nǐ.) – I’ve been on a business trip for a long time; I really miss you.
  2. 我思念着你 (Wǒ sīniàn zhe nǐ):
    Translation: I am thinking of you.
    Explanation: This phrase conveys a deep and constant yearning for someone.
    Example: 无论走到哪里,我都在思念着你。(Wúlùn zǒu dào nǎlǐ, wǒ dōu zài sīniàn zhe nǐ.) – No matter where I go, I am always thinking of you.
  3. 我对你念念不忘 (Wǒ duì nǐ niànniànbùwàng):
    Translation: I can’t forget you.
    Explanation: This phrase suggests an inability to remove someone from one’s thoughts.
    Example: 你离开后,我对你念念不忘。(Nǐ líkāi hòu, wǒ duì nǐ niànniànbùwàng.) – I can’t forget you since you left.
  4. 我好想你啊 (Wǒ hǎo xiǎng nǐ a):
    Translation: I really miss you.
    Explanation: Adding “啊 (a)” at the end of the sentence emphasizes the strong longing and yearning.
    Example: 你不在身边的时候,我好想你啊!(Nǐ bù zài shēnbiān de shíhou, wǒ hǎo xiǎng nǐ a!) – I really miss you when you’re not by my side!
  5. 你在我心中无处不在 (Nǐ zài wǒ xīn zhōng wú chù bù zài):
    Translation: You are always in my heart.
    Explanation: This phrase expresses the constant presence of the person being missed.
    Example: 无论距离有多远,你在我心中无处不在。(Wúlùn jùlí yǒu duō yuǎn, nǐ zài wǒ xīn zhōng wú chù bù zài.) – No matter how far apart we are, you are always in my heart.
  6. 我心里惦记着你 (Wǒ xīnlǐ diàn jì zhe nǐ):
    Translation: I am keeping you in my thoughts.
    Explanation: This phrase conveys the act of constantly remembering and thinking about someone.
    Example: 无论发生什么事情,我心里都惦记着你。(Wúlùn fāshēng shénme shìqíng, wǒ xīnlǐ dōu diàn jì zhe nǐ.) – No matter what happens, I always keep you in my thoughts.
  7. 我渴望再次见到你 (Wǒ kěwàng zàicì jiàn dào nǐ):
    Translation: I long to see you again.
    Explanation: This phrase expresses a strong desire and anticipation to meet the person being missed.
    Example: 我渴望再次见到你的笑容。(Wǒ kěwàng zàicì jiàn dào nǐ de xiàoróng.) – I long to see your smile again.
  8. 每天都想念你 (Měi tiān dōu xiǎngniàn nǐ):
    Translation: I miss you every day.
    Explanation: This phrase indicates a daily longing for someone’s presence.
    Example: 我每天都想念你,希望能尽快见到你。(Wǒ měi tiān dōu xiǎngniàn nǐ, xīwàng néng jǐnkuài jiàn dào nǐ.) – I miss you every day and hope to see you soon.
  9. 很想马上见到你 (Hěn xiǎng mǎshàng jiàn dào nǐ):
    Translation: I really want to see you immediately.
    Explanation: This phrase conveys a strong desire and urgency to meet the person being missed.
    Example: 我很想马上见到你,无法等待。(Wǒ hěn xiǎng mǎshàng jiàn dào nǐ, wúfǎ děngdài.) – I really want to see you immediately, I can’t wait.
  10. 对你的思念如潮水般涌来 (Duì nǐ de sīniàn rú cháoshuǐ bān yǒng lái):
    Translation: My longing for you surges like tidal waves.
    Explanation: This metaphorical expression vividly portrays the intensity and overwhelming nature of missing someone.
    Example: 每次想起你,对你的思念如潮水般涌来。(Měi cì xiǎng qǐ nǐ, duì nǐ de sīniàn rú cháoshuǐ bān yǒng lái.) – Every time I think of you, my longing for you surges like tidal waves.
  11. 我念念不忘你的笑容 (Wǒ niànniànbùwàng nǐ de xiàoróng):
    Translation: I can’t forget your smile.
    Explanation: This phrase highlights a specific aspect of the person being missed, in this case, their smile.
    Example: 在我心中,我念念不忘你的笑容。(Zài wǒ xīn zhōng, wǒ niànniànbùwàng nǐ de xiàoróng.) – In my heart, I can’t forget your smile.
  12. 你不在身边,我感觉很空虚 (Nǐ bù zài shēnbiān, wǒ gǎnjué hěn kōngxū):
    Translation: I feel empty without you by my side.
    Explanation: This phrase expresses the emptiness and loneliness experienced when the person being missed is not around.
    Example: 唯有你在身边,我才不会感觉很空虚。(Wéiyǒu nǐ zài shēnbiān, wǒ cái bù huì gǎnjué hěn kōngxū.) – Only when you are by my side, I don’t feel empty.
  13. 我盼望着与你再次相见 (Wǒ pànwàng zhe yǔ nǐ zàicì xiāngjiàn):
    Translation: I look forward to seeing you again.
    Explanation: This phrase conveys anticipation and excitement for a future meeting with the person being missed.
    Example: 我盼望着与你再次相见,分享彼此的故事。(Wǒ pànwàng zhe yǔ nǐ zàicì xiāngjiàn, fēnxiǎng bǐcǐ de gùshì.) – I look forward to seeing you again and sharing our stories.
  14. 你不在我身边,我感到很失落 (Nǐ bù zài wǒ shēnbiān, wǒ gǎndào hěn shīluò):
    Translation: I feel lost without you by my side.
    Explanation: This phrase expresses a sense of disorientation and sadness experienced in the absence of the person being missed.
    Example: 每当你不在我身边时,我感到很失落。(Měi dāng nǐ bù zài wǒ shēnbiān shí, wǒ gǎndào hěn shīluò.) – Whenever you’re not by my side, I feel lost.
  15. 我渴望与你再次相聚 ( Wǒ kěwàng yǔ nǐ zàicì xiāngjù )
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Translation: “I long to reunite with you again.”

Explanation: The sentence expresses a strong desire or yearning to meet someone again and be together.

Example: Tom and Sarah had been close friends since childhood, but they had been living in different countries for the past few years. Tom missed Sarah terribly and couldn’t wait to see her again. He often said, “I long to reunite with you again” to express his strong desire to meet her and spend time together.