i miss you in korean
How to Say "I Miss You" in Korean (보고 싶어): Casual, Polite & Romantic
보고 싶어
bogo sipeo
Quick answer
The most natural way to say "I miss you" in Korean is 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo) casually or 보고 싶어요 (bogo sipeoyo) politely.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 보고 싶어 | bogo sipeo | The everyday 'I miss you' between close friends, family, or partners. |
| polite | 보고 싶어요 | bogo sipeoyo | Polite form — can be used with someone slightly older or a pen pal. |
| really miss you | 너무 보고 싶어 | neomu bogo sipeo | 너무 (neomu, so/really) intensifies it — the heartfelt version in K-dramas. |
| formal/written | 보고 싶습니다 | bogo sipseumnida | Rarely used in speech — more suited to formal letters or song lyrics. |
How it changes by relationship
나 너 보고 싶어.
Na neo bogo sipeo.
to a close friend: 나 (na, I) + 너 (neo, you) makes it explicitly personal.
너무 보고 싶어, 빨리 와.
Neomu bogo sipeo, ppalli wa.
to a romantic partner: 빨리 와 (come quickly) is a classic K-drama line from a longing partner.
보고 싶어요.
Bogo sipeoyo.
to a parent or family (polite): Natural and warm without being overly formal.
보고 싶다 ㅠㅠ
bogo sipda ㅠㅠ
in a text message: ㅠㅠ represents crying eyes — the standard texting shorthand for missing someone.
Examples
오빠, 보고 싶어.
Oppa, bogo sipeo.
Oppa, I miss you.
많이 보고 싶었어.
Mani bogo sipesseo.
I missed you so much.
보고 싶어요, 언제 와요?
Bogo sipeoyo, eonje wayo?
I miss you, when are you coming?
Usage note
보고 싶어 literally means 'I want to see you' — not 'I miss you' in the abstract sense. This means Koreans use it specifically when they wish they could physically be with someone right now, rather than as a general nostalgic feeling.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "I miss you" here?
FAQ
Is 보고 싶어 romantic?
It can be, but it's used freely between friends and family too. The context and tone decide whether it's sweet or just genuine. K-dramas make it sound very romantic.
How do I say 'I missed you' in past tense?
보고 싶었어 (bogo sipeo-sseo) casually or 보고 싶었어요 (bogo sipeo-sseoyo) politely. Adding 많이 (mani, a lot) makes it warmer.
What's 보고파?
보고파 (bogopa) is a cuter, slightly archaic-sounding way to say 'I miss you' — you'll hear it in songs or from older characters in dramas. It's the same meaning, just a different verb ending.