Daily Phrase
How to Say “I Miss You” in Korean: 보고 싶어요
Learn how to say “I miss you” naturally in Korean with 보고 싶어요, choose the right speech level, and understand the deeper nuance of 그리워요.
보고 싶다 is probably one of the most common expressions you’ll hear in K-pop songs and K-dramas. And yes, Koreans use it often in real life too.
The most natural way to say “I miss you” in Korean is:
With a close friend, family member, or partner, you can say 보고 싶어. Let’s look at what this expression literally means and how Koreans actually use it.
Why Does 보고 싶어요 Literally Mean “I Want to See You”?
Isn’t it interesting that in Korean, when you miss someone, you literally say, “I want to see you”? That is exactly what 보고 싶어요 means.
- 보다 means “to see.”
- -고 싶어요 means “to want to.”
Put them together, and 보고 싶어요 literally means “I want to see you.” But emotionally, it carries the same feeling as “I miss you.” Maybe that’s why this expression feels so warm. In Korean, missing someone is expressed as wanting to see their face again.
Korean speakers also frequently omit the subject and object when they are already clear. You don’t need to include the Korean word for “I” or “you.” Simply saying 보고 싶어요 is enough.
보고 싶어 vs. 보고 싶어요
보고 싶어 — Casual
Use 보고 싶어 with close friends, family members, or a romantic partner.
This is the version you will often hear in K-dramas and K-pop songs.
보고 싶어요 — Polite
Use 보고 싶어요 when you want to sound polite or when you do not normally use casual Korean with the other person.
The -요 ending makes the expression polite while still sounding warm and personal.
보고 싶습니다 — Formal
보고 싶습니다 is a more formal version. It is less common in intimate everyday conversations, but you may hear it in speeches, public messages, or when singers speak to their fans.
If you’re unsure which ending to choose, you can learn more about Korean speech levels and age.
Is 보고 싶어요 Only Romantic?
No. 보고 싶어요 is not only for romantic relationships. Koreans also use it when they miss their family, friends, pets, or anyone they care about.
The situation and your relationship with the person determine whether it sounds romantic, friendly, or affectionate.
How to Say “I Miss You Too” in Korean
If someone says 보고 싶어 to you, you can answer:
A polite version is:
Here is a simple conversation:
How to Say “I Missed You” in Korean
If you are finally meeting someone after a long time, you can use the past tense:
With someone close, say:
You can use this together with one of the expressions from “How to Say Long Time No See” in Korean Naturally.
A Deeper Kind of Missing: 그리워요
Korean has another way to express missing someone or something:
그리워요 comes from 그립다, which means “to miss” or “to long for.” Compared with 보고 싶어요, 그리워요 often carries a deeper sense of distance, memory, or nostalgia. That is why you may hear it more often in songs, poems, or emotional conversations.
You may also see the related verb 그리워하다, meaning “to miss” or “to long for” someone or something. Its polite form is 그리워해요.
A Song Recommendation: 그리워해요 by 2NE1
If you know 2NE1, you may have heard their song 그리워해요 (Missing You). It is one of my favorite 2NE1 songs, and it always feels like autumn to me—quiet, nostalgic, and a little lonely.
The song is also a beautiful example of the deeper emotion behind 그리워하다. For everyday conversations, however, 보고 싶어요 is still the most natural and useful expression for beginners.
Quick Summary
- 보고 싶어 — I miss you. Casual.
- 보고 싶어요 — I miss you. Polite.
- 너무 보고 싶어요 — I miss you so much.
- 나도 보고 싶어 — I miss you too.
- 보고 싶었어요 — I missed you.
- 그리워요 — I miss or long for someone or something with a deeper, nostalgic feeling.
Now you know how to say “I miss you” naturally in Korean—and why 보고 싶어요 feels a little warmer than its English translation.