Echoes of Affection: Saying I Miss You in German

Expressing feelings of missing someone can vary greatly in any language. Today, we’ll tell you about different ways of saying I miss you in German. Regardless of who you are longing for – your friend, family member, or significant other – you’ll find a heartwarming word, phrase, or a non-verbal cue to express your feelings. So, please make yourself comfortable, and let’s jump right in!

How to Say I Miss You in German: Useful Expressions

Although many people consider German a tough language, it contains plenty of cute and pleasant phrases, especially when it comes to expressing feelings. And when you miss someone, you want to say the most lovely and precious words. So, how do you say I miss you in German? Here are some examples.

• Ich vermisse dich – [ɪç fɛɐ̯ˈmɪsə dɪç] – I miss you.

This is the most straightforward expression and is widely understood and used among German speakers. It’s appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing your feelings. For example:

Ich vermisse dich so sehr, seit du weg bist. (I miss you so much since you’ve been gone.)

Jeden Tag, den wir nicht zusammen sind, vermisse ich dich mehr. (Every day we are not together, I miss you more.)

• Du fehlst mir – [duː feːlst miːɐ̯] – I miss you.

This phrase is a bit more poetic and implies that something is lacking in the speaker’s life due to the absence of the person being addressed. Literally, it sounds quite unusual for English speakers – it means, “You are missing from me.” It’s commonly used among close friends and loved ones and carries a slightly more emotional weight. For example:

Seit du weggezogen bist, fehlst du mir jeden Tag. (I’ve missed you every day since you moved away.)

Du fehlst mir mehr, als Worte ausdrücken können. (I miss you more than words can express.)

• Ich sehne mich nach dir – [ɪç ˈzeːnə mɪç naχ diːɐ̯] – I long for you.

This phrase conveys a deep yearning for someone and is typically used in a romantic context. It’s quite poetic and may be seen as more intense than simply saying, “I miss you.” Hence, it is only appropriate for use in an informal context with people you are close to. For example:

Ich sehne mich so sehr nach dir, dass es wehtut. (I long for you so much that it hurts.)

Je länger wir getrennt sind, desto mehr sehne ich mich nach dir. (The longer we are apart, the more I long for you.)

• Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dich wiederzusehen – [ɪç kan ɛs kaʊ̯m ɛɐ̯ˈvaʁtən, dɪç ˈviːdɐˌzeːən] – I can’t wait to see you again.

This phrase is a bit less about missing and more about the anticipation of reunion. It’s suitable for all types of relationships and is particularly common when planning to see someone again after a period of absence. For example:

Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dich wiederzusehen und dir von meiner Reise zu erzählen. (I can’t wait to see you again and tell you about my trip.)

Jeder Tag ohne dich ist zu lang. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dich wiederzusehen. (Every day without you is too long. I can't wait to see you again.)

• Du gehst mir nicht aus dem Kopf – [duː ɡeːst miːɐ̯ nɪçt aʊ̯s deːm kɔpf] – I can’t get you out of my head.

The last phrase on our list expresses that you are constantly thinking about the person and implies a deep sense of missing. It’s somewhat informal and suits romantic contexts or close friendships. For example:

Seit unserem letzten Treffen gehst du mir nicht aus dem Kopf. (Since our last meeting, I can’t get you out of my head.)

Du gehst mir einfach nicht aus dem Kopf, egal was ich mache. (I can’t get you out of my head, no matter what I do.)

Miss You in German: Beautiful Responses

Responding to someone saying they miss you can be as heartfelt as the expression itself. Whether you’re looking to convey the sentiment, comfort your interlocutor, or express your desire to reunite, there are various phrases you can use. Here’s a list of responses that capture different emotions and contexts.

• Ich vermisse dich auch – [ɪç fɛɐ̯ˈmɪsə dɪç aʊx] – I miss you too.

This is probably the most direct and common response, indicating that the feeling of missing someone is mutual. It’s suitable for all contexts, whether with friends, family, or romantic partners. For example:

X: Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dich zu sehen.

Y: Ich vermisse dich auch, jeden Tag. 

(I can’t wait to see you. – I miss you too, every day.)

• Du fehlst mir auch – [duː feːlst miːɐ̯ aʊx] – I miss you too.

This one is quite similar to the previous expression, although it is slightly more emotional and poetic, suggesting a deeper sense of absence. It’s particularly touching in close relationships. For example:

A: Seit du weg bist, ist alles anders.

B: Du fehlst mir auch.

(Since you’ve been gone, everything is different. – I miss you too.)

• Ich auch dich – [ɪç aʊx dɪç] – Me too.

This one is a more casual and somewhat playful way to say “me too” in response to “I miss you.” It’s commonly used in casual conversations and among younger people. For example:

Q: Ich vermisse dich so sehr.

B: Ich auch dich.

(I miss you so much. – Me too.)

• Bald sind wir wieder zusammen – [balt zɪnt viːɐ̯ ˈviːdɐ tsuːˈzamən] – Soon we will be together again.

This response offers comfort and hope, emphasizing that the separation is only temporary. It’s particularly effective in long-distance relationships or when time apart has been significant. For example:

A: Es fühlt sich so leer ohne dich an.

B: Bald sind wir wieder zusammen, das verspreche ich dir. 

(It feels so empty without you. – Soon we will be together again, I promise you.)

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Non-Verbal Gestures to Say I Miss You German Way

Words and phrases are great for expressing your feelings to someone. However, in some cases, using non-verbal communication can be even more touching. If you finally meet the person you’ve been missing for a long time, you can showcase your emotions by using these gestures.

• A warm, tight hug upon greeting someone you haven’t seen in a while is a universal gesture. This type of hug shows your true feelings without needing a single word.
• In situations where a hug might be too intimate or inappropriate, Germans might opt for holding hands a moment longer than usual. Such a simple gesture conveys a deep sense of longing and affection.
• A gentle touch on the arm or shoulder can communicate a world of emotion, signaling that you care and have missed the person. This gesture is more subdued but deeply meaningful within the German context, where personal space is generally respected.
• The act of writing and sending a handwritten note or card is a deeply personal way to express that you miss someone in Germany. This tradition maintains its charm and significance in the digital age, providing a tangible reminder of your affection.
• Gifting something that has personal significance to the recipient or relates to an inside joke or shared memory can also be a powerful non-verbal way of saying “I miss you.” 

German people are known for being quite private and discreet. However, they do know how to express their feelings in the most touching way possible. Therefore, if you are aiming to tell someone you miss them, choosing some German phrases can be the perfect option. 

Mastering German I Miss You Idioms and More with Promova

If you are looking for a useful tool that can help you not only learn some basic phrases in German but also increase your fluency level in general, you’ve come to the right place! With the Promova, you can access your language-learning goals from the comfort of your own home. The Promova application is your one-stop solution for fluency. After installing it, you access:

• Tons of useful materials. Created by language professionals, our interactive lessons are made for learners of different levels to make their studying as engaging and useful as possible. Whether you are just starting your learning journey or looking for new ways to enhance your fluency, you will definitely find something useful within the Promova app.
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The Promova application is available for both iOS and Android devices. You can easily install it on your phone or tablet, and access all the available features. So what are you waiting for? Get the app today, and start your journey towards fluency in foreign languages!

Conclusion

Sometimes, saying that you miss someone can be incredibly difficult, especially if you need to say it in a foreign language. However, you can still prepare yourself by memorizing one or two phrases that can become handy. In today’s article, we’ve provided some common German expressions and responses to them. And we hope that they will help you convey your feelings!