How to say “I miss you” in Spanish?

Studying abroad is one of the best experiences that a person can imagine. You will be kept busy – there is a near unending stream of new experiences. Between the food, the people, and the culture, there will be a thousand things keeping you occupied. But, I’ve got news for you. No matter how amazing it is, there will be nights of homesickness. And at some points, you will miss people from back home – whether it’s a sibling, a parent, a best friend, or a loved one.

It’s so important to keep in touch with them, and to tell them that you are thinking about them. With modern communication, you can connect with people via video chat all around the globe with nearly no delay. But, it’s still no substitute for seeing them in person and being able to give them a big hug. Our advice – when you miss someone, let them know! We all love to hear that people are thinking about us, and this is one way to keep your relationships strong despite geographical distance.

Ways to say I miss you in Spanish

Most common ways to say “I miss you” in Spanish

1: Echo do Menos

By far the most common way of saying “I miss you” in Spanish is “te echo de menos”. It’s also one of the most difficult to explain to non-native speakers, because there is no direct translation. In fact, it’s extra confusing because the verb “echar” actually means “throw” in most other instances. And actually, depending on the context, it can mean a lot of things, including pour, send by mail, fire someone from a job, lock, add fuel to a fire, settle down, nap, cry, blame, celebrate, and much more – WOW.

Menos in Spanish typically means “yes”. So why does “te echo de menos” mean “I miss you”? Supposedly, it is derived from the Portuguese way of saying I miss you, “Achar menos.” The direct translation into Spanish should have been “hallar menos”, or “find less” – as in, I’ve been seeing you less, so I miss you. Somehow, the verb “echar” got used instead, and it became part of the language.

Anyways, no matter how you slice it, “echar de menos” does not mean “throw less”, so disregard the literal translation and rest assured that it will be interpreted as “I miss you!” It has the fairly poetic connotation of “I am less without you.”

2: Te extraño

While “te echo de menos” is the most popular way to say “I miss you” because it comes across as more conversational, natural, and informal, it’s not the only way. It is also not uncommon to hear Spanish-speaking people say “Te extraño”. This is an interesting phrase because extrañar literally means “to feel the absence of.”

3: Me haces falta

The third most common way of saying “I miss you” in Spanish is “Me haces mucha falta”. It would literally be translated to something similar to “You cause me an absence”. This is a particularly heart-wrenching one because it has the connotation that you are less, due to the absence of another. Rather than I miss you, it’s more like “you leave me lacking” or “you leave me wanting” – it’s actually quite beautiful.

Well, there you have it, there are a lot of ways to say “I miss you” in Spanish – put them to good use! If you want to get a little poetic, you can even say: Todavía no te vas y ya te echo de menos (“You haven’t left yet and I’m already missing you”).

How to respond to “I miss you” in Spanish

By the way, when someone tells you that they miss you, and you feel the same way, you can respond by saying:

Y yo, a ti (And I, you.)
Yo también te extraño (I miss you too.)

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