How to Translate 'I Miss You' to Korean Depending on Who You're Talking To
"I miss you" is one of the most commonly translated phrases — and one of the most commonly mistranslated into Korean.
The Korean language has several ways to express missing someone, and choosing the wrong one can make your message feel awkward, too casual, or even inappropriate.
The Main Ways to Say "I Miss You" in Korean
1. 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo) — Casual
Use for: Close friends, romantic partners, siblings
This is the most common casual form. It literally means "I want to see you."
Example situations:
- Texting your best friend
- Messaging your boyfriend/girlfriend
- Talking to a sibling
Warning: Don't use this with someone older than you or someone you don't know well.
2. 보고 싶어요 (bogo sipeoyo) — Polite
Use for: Acquaintances, coworkers, people slightly older
Adding "-요" makes it polite but still warm.
Example situations:
- Messaging a coworker you're friendly with
- Speaking to a friend's parent
- General polite conversation
3. 보고 싶습니다 (bogo sipseumnida) — Formal
Use for: Professional settings, very formal situations, public speaking
This is the most formal version.
Example situations:
- Business letters
- Formal speeches
- Speaking to someone much older/higher status
4. 그리워요 (geuriwoyo) — Deep Longing
Use for: Expressing deeper emotional missing, often for someone far away or passed
This word carries more emotional weight than 보고 싶어요.
Example situations:
- Missing someone who moved far away
- Memorial or remembrance contexts
- Nostalgic feelings
Comparison Table
| Situation | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| To close friend | 보고 싶어 | bogo sipeo |
| To coworker | 보고 싶어요 | bogo sipeoyo |
| To boss/elder | 보고 싶습니다 | bogo sipseumnida |
| Deep longing | 그리워요 | geuriwoyo |
| To partner (cute) | 보고 싶어~ | bogo sipeo~ |
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using 그립다 incorrectly
그립다 (to miss/long for) is usually for nostalgic feelings, not everyday "I miss you" messages.
Mistake 2: Being too formal with close people
If you text 보고 싶습니다 to your close friend, they'll think you're being weird or joking.
Mistake 3: Being too casual with elders
Saying 보고 싶어 to your Korean friend's parents is disrespectful.
How to Get It Right
When you translate English to Korean phrases like "I miss you," always ask:
1. What's my relationship with this person?
2. How formal should I be?
3. What's the emotional context?
Try our translator at translateenglishtokorean.com to get the right version for your situation.