Chinese phrases
How to say I miss you in Chinese
I miss you in Chinese is 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ). In messages, people often write 想你了 (xiǎng nǐ le).
我想你
I miss you
Ways to say I miss you
我想你
EverydayI miss you
Direct and warm. To a partner, family or a close friend.
想你了
Textingmiss you
The usual line in messages. The 了 says that you have started to miss them.
我好想你
With friendsI miss you so much
Stronger, after a long time apart.
想家
Everydayto be homesick
To miss home: 我有点想家, “I’m a bit homesick.”
想念
Writtento miss
In cards, letters and speeches: 我们都很想念你, “we all miss you.”
怀念
Writtento miss (times past)
For a time, a place or a person that is gone: 怀念大学的时候, “I miss my university days.”
Common mistakes
Using 错过 for “miss”
错过 is to miss a chance or a train, as in 别错过, “don’t miss it.” When you miss a person, use 想 or 想念.
Mixing up the two meanings of 想
想 with a person or a place means “miss”: 我想你, 想家. 想 with a verb means “want to”: 我想回家 is “I want to go home.”
Using 怀念 for a friend you’ll see again
怀念 looks back at something that is gone. Said about a living friend, it can sound as if they’re gone for good. Use 想.
A video call home
吃饭了吗？
Mum: Have you eaten?
吃了。妈，我想你了。
Qiqi: Yes. Mum, I miss you.
我们也想你。什么时候回家？
Mum: We miss you too. When are you coming home?
过年就回去！
Qiqi: For New Year!
