How to say i miss you in Chinese
"I miss you" in Chinese is 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ). It is built from "I think of you". 我想你 is warm but everyday between partners, family and close friends; with 了 at the end, 我想你了, it sounds even more natural in speech and messages.
Ways to say i miss you
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我想你 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ | i miss you | The default answer. |
| 想你了 | xiǎng nǐ le | miss you | Casual and affectionate, typical in text messages |
| 我想你了 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ le | I miss you | The most common spoken form, to a partner, parents or friends |
| 我很想你 | wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ | I really miss you | A stronger, sincere statement after time apart |
| 我好想你 | wǒ hǎo xiǎng nǐ | I miss you so much | Emotional and intimate, between partners or close family |
| 我想念你 | wǒ xiǎng niàn nǐ | I miss you | More written and deeply felt, in letters, songs and longer absences |
What people say back
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 妈，我想你了，过年一定回家。 | mā, wǒ xiǎng nǐ le, guò nián yī dìng huí jiā. | Mom, I miss you. I'll definitely be home for New Year. |
| 才分开一天，我就好想你。 | cái fēn kāi yī tiān, wǒ jiù hǎo xiǎng nǐ. | We've only been apart a day and I already miss you so much. |
| 大家都很想你，什么时候回来？ | dà jiā dōu hěn xiǎng nǐ, shén me shí hou huí lái? | Everyone misses you. When are you coming back? |
| 我很想念在北京读书的日子。 | wǒ hěn xiǎng niàn zài běi jīng dú shū de rì zi. | I really miss my student days in Beijing. |
The characters in 我想你
Common mistakes
- 想 means "miss" with a person as its object, but "want to" before a verb (我想去, I want to go) and "think" in 我想… meaning "I think…".
- 想 is third tone (xiǎng). Do not confuse it with 像 (xiàng, to resemble).
- 好 in 我好想你 is an adverb meaning "so", still read hǎo.
- 了 in 我想你了 is le, the neutral-tone particle.
Related
- I love you in Chinese: 我爱你
- Good night in Chinese: 晚安
- Love in Chinese: 爱
- Friend in Chinese: 朋友
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say i miss you in Chinese?
我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ), literally "I think of you". Other ways: 想你了 (xiǎng nǐ le); 我想你了 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ le); 我很想你 (wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ).
What is the difference between 我想你 and 我想念你?
Both mean "I miss you". 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ) is everyday speech; 我想念你 (wǒ xiǎng niàn nǐ) is more written and emotional.
How do you say I miss you too in Chinese?
Say 我也想你 (wǒ yě xiǎng nǐ). 也 means "also".
How do you say I miss you so much in Chinese?
Say 我好想你 (wǒ hǎo xiǎng nǐ) or 我很想你 (wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ).
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