Korean Dictionary
How to say "Miss You" in Korean
“Miss You” in Korean is 그리워하다 (pronounced "geuriwoohada").
그리워하다
geuriwoohada
Usage & Context
Expresses longing or missing someone who is absent. A tender emotion commonly expressed in Korean relationships and long-distance situations.
Example Sentence
너를 그리워해.
I miss you.
How to use 그리워하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Miss You” is 그리워하다, romanized as geuriwoohada.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 그리워하다.
Pronunciation Guide
'Geu' (그) sounds like 'goo' in 'good'. 'ri' (리) is like 'ree'. 'wo' (워) is like 'woah' without the 'h' sound, a quick glide. 'ha' (하) is like 'hah' and 'da' (다) is like 'dah'. The 'w' sound in '워' is a smooth transition.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
그리워합니다 / 그리워해요
geuriwoohamnida / geuriwoohaeyo
그리워합니다 is more formal. 그리워해요 is polite and commonly used.
Casual (반말)
그리워해
geuriwoohae
Used with close friends, family, or lovers.
More Example Sentences
Expressing homesickness to a friend.
고향이 너무 그리워요.
I miss my hometown so much.
Texting a former partner in a moment of longing.
헤어진 지 얼마 안 됐는데 벌써 네가 그리워.
It hasn't been long since we broke up, but I already miss you.
Sharing a personal, nostalgic memory with an elder.
돌아가신 할머니가 가끔 그리워집니다.
I sometimes miss my deceased grandmother.
Cultural Context
'그리워하다' conveys a deeper sense of longing, nostalgia, and often a bittersweet feeling, used for people, places, or past times. While '보고 싶다' (bogo sipda - I want to see you) is more common for 'I miss you' in everyday casual speech, '그리워하다' implies a more profound, emotional yearning, often for something or someone that cannot be easily seen or returned to. Many K-pop ballads and trot songs frequently use '그리워하다' to express deep emotional longing.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 그리워하다 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
그리운 사람
A person I miss / A person I long for
그리운 추억
Fond memories / Memories I miss
그리워할 거야
I will miss you.
Related Expressions
보고 싶다
bogo sipda
I want to see you (most common for 'I miss you')
생각나다
saenggaknada
To come to mind, to remember (often implies missing)
잊다
itda
To forget (antonym)
떠나다
tteonada
To leave (often the cause of missing someone)
More Relationships Words
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