10 Ways To Say I Miss You In German + 5 Amazing Responses In Conversations
Maybe you traveled to a German-speaking country and you fell in love. Or you just miss your German friend or colleague. So, you want to tell them: I miss you. But how do you say I miss you in German?
Or are you looking for other romantic German phrases? No worries!
Spring German made a fantastic lesson on the art of romantic conversations in German:
In this post, we’ll give you 10 ways to say I miss you in German, and we’ll even share the 5 most common responses you can say to others in heartfelt German conversations.
How to say I miss you in German
Let’s jump right in!
These are the most common German phrases and expressions you can use to say I miss you in German. No matter what day of the week it is, or what month is it, feel free to use these ones.
1. Ich vermisse dich (I miss you in German)
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This is the most straightforward and common way to express that you miss someone. You can use it in almost any situation, whether you’re talking to a friend, family member, or romantic partner.
It’s neither too formal nor too casual, making it perfect for most scenarios.
You might say this during a phone call with your best friend who moved to another city, or in a text message to your partner who’s on a business trip.
2. Du fehlst mir (I miss you, literally: You’re missing from me)
This expression has a slightly more emotional tone than “Ich vermisse dich.“
It expresses that the person’s absence leaves a gap in your life. It’s used in romantic contexts but can also be said to close friends or family members.
You might use this phrase when writing a letter to your grandmother who lives far away, or when talking to your significant other during a long-distance call.
3. Ich sehne mich nach dir (I long for you)
This phrase carries a more intense and romantic connotation.
It’s typically reserved for romantic partners and expresses a deep yearning for their presence.
You probably wouldn’t use this with friends or family members unless you’re being deliberately dramatic or humorous. It’s perfect for love letters or intimate conversations with your partner.
4. Mir fehlt deine Nähe (I miss your closeness)
This expression highlights the physical aspect of missing someone.
It’s more intimate than a simple “Ich vermisse dich” and is usually used in romantic relationships.
You might say this to your partner after they’ve been away for a while, expressing that you miss their physical presence and intimacy.
5. Ich wünschte, du wärst hier (I wish you were here)
This phrase can be used in different scenes, from casual to romantic.
It’s a great way to express that you’re thinking of someone and wish they could share a particular moment or experience with you. You could say this to a friend while on vacation, or to your partner while attending an event they would have enjoyed.
6. Ohne dich ist alles doof (Everything sucks without you)
This is a more casual and colloquial way to express that you miss someone.
It’s playful and slightly exaggerated, making it perfect for friends, siblings, or a partner with whom you have a lighthearted relationship.
You wouldn’t use this in formal situations or with people you’re not close to.
For example, you might text this to your best friend when you’re bored at a party they couldn’t attend, or say it to your partner when they’re leaving for a short trip.
7. Ich hab’ Sehnsucht nach dir (I’m longing for you)
This expression is similar to “Ich sehne mich nach dir” but slightly less formal due to the contraction “hab‘” instead of “habe.” (This one is pretty common in spoken German.)
It still has a strong emotional weight and is typically used in romantic contexts.
You could use this in a heartfelt message to your long-distance partner or whisper it during a goodbye at the airport.
8. Du gehst mir ab (I miss you, literally: You’re going off from me)
This is an Austrian and southern German expression that’s quite casual.
It’s not commonly used in northern Germany, so be aware of regional differences.
You can use this with close friends, family, or partners in informal settings.
You could say this to a close colleague who’s changed departments, or to a friend who’s moved to a different neighborhood.
9. Ich vermiss’ dich voll (I totally miss you)
This is a very informal, youthful way of expressing that you miss someone.
The use of “voll” (totally) and the contracted “vermiss‘” make it sound quite casual.
It’s perfect for texting friends or posting on social media.
You wouldn’t use this in formal situations or with older generations unless you have a particularly close and informal relationship with them.
10. Ich würd’ dich gern bei mir haben (I’d like to have you with me)
This phrase is a bit more indirect but still expresses the feeling of missing someone.
It’s good for both friendly and romantic contexts.
The contraction “würd‘” instead of “würde” gives it a slightly more casual feel.
You might say this during a phone call with a friend while describing an interesting experience, or to your partner when you’re apart and wishing they could share a moment with you.
Responses to I miss you in German
You received an I miss you in German sentence – but how do you respond to it?
In this section, we’ll give you 5 possible ways to respond to I miss you in German. All of this is paired with real-life sentences, so you can see them in action!
1. Ich vermisse dich auch (I miss you too)
This is the most straightforward response when someone tells you they miss you.
It’s used all the time, whether responding to a friend, family member, or romantic partner. It’s a sincere way to express the feeling of missing someone.
Lisa: Hey, ich vermisse dich so sehr! (Lisa: Hey, I miss you so much!)
Max: Ich vermisse dich auch, Lisa. Wann kommst du wieder zurück? (Max: I miss you too, Lisa. When are you coming back?)
2. Du fehlst mir genauso (I miss you just as much)
This response highlights that the feeling is mutual and equally strong.
It’s slightly more emotive than a simple “Ich vermisse dich auch” and is often used in more intimate relationships, like with close friends, family, or romantic partners.
Emma: Thomas, du fehlst mir. Das Büro ist so leer ohne dich. (Emma: Thomas, I miss you. The office is so empty without you.)
Thomas: Du fehlst mir genauso, Emma. Hoffentlich bin ich bald wieder gesund. Thomas: I miss you just as much, Emma. Hopefully, I’ll be well again soon.)
3. Ich denke auch ständig an dich (I’m constantly thinking of you too)
This response goes beyond just missing someone – it expresses that the person is frequently on your mind. It’s quite romantic and intimate, so it’s typically used with partners or in very close friendships.
Sophie: Ich kann dich einfach nicht aus meinem Kopf kriegen. (Sophie: I just can’t get you out of my head.)
Leon: Ich denke auch ständig an dich, Sophie. Noch drei Tage, dann bin ich zurück. (Leon: I’m constantly thinking of you too, Sophie. Just three more days, then I’ll be back.)
4. Wir sehen uns bald (We’ll see each other soon)
This is a comforting response that says the feeling of missing someone while giving reassurance.
It’s good for different kinds of relationships and is especially useful when there’s a planned reunion in the near future.
Mia: Mama, ich vermisse dich! (Mia: Mom, I miss you!)
Mama: Ich weiß, Schatz. Wir sehen uns bald. Nur noch eine Woche! (Mom: I know, honey. We’ll see each other soon. Just one more week!)
5. Ach, du mir erst (Oh, you don’t even know / Me even more)
This playful response suggests that you miss the other person even more than they miss you.
It’s quite colloquial and is typically used among close friends or in casual romantic relationships.
Felix: Mann, ich vermiss’ dich voll! (Felix: Man, I totally miss you!)
Jana: Ach, du mir erst! Hier ist es total langweilig ohne dich. (Jana: Oh, you don’t even know! It’s totally boring here without you.)
Practice saying I miss you in German with Practice Worksheets
Fill in the blanks with the correct words!
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