Summer is approaching, and that means sizzling flings and steamy romances are just around the corner. Picture this: sun-kissed Italian beaches, tantalising gelatos, romantic walks under the moonlight. Ah, l’amore! But then comes that painful moment when it’s time to bid arrivederci to your summer love. That’s when you’ll need the phrases I’m about to share to convey those pangs of longing!
Saying “I miss you” in Italian
1. Mi manchi (I miss you)
Two words that can make hearts flutter and induce a profound yearning!
But sometimes, this just isn’t enough to convey how much you’re missing someone. That’s when you can add a little extra to make your feelings crystal clear…
2. Mi manchi tanto (I miss you a lot)
When you want to emphasise just how much their absence affects you.
3. Mi manchi terribilmente (I miss you terribly)
When you miss someone so much that not even gelato can make the ache go away.
4. Mi manchi da morire (I miss you to death)
Sometimes, only the most dramatic declarations will do justice to the depths of your feelings!
5. Mi manchi sempre/continuamente (I miss you all the time)
When there’s no escape from the ever-present ache of someone’s absence – every second, every minute, every hour!
And if you’re feeling bold, why not pop the question E io ti manco? (Do you miss me?) – because reciprocity is key in matters of the heart!
Going beyond “Mi manchi”
Here are some further expressions that you can use, each reflecting a different shade of missing someone special in Italian:
6. Ti sto pensando (I’m thinking of you)
Short and sweet, this says it all!
7. Sento la tua mancanza (I feel your absence)
When it feels like a piece of your heart is missing.
8. Spero di rivederti presto (I hope to see you again soon)
When you’re eagerly awaiting the next time you can see their gorgeous face again.
9. Non vedo l’ora di rivederti / riabbracciarti (I can’t wait to see you / hug you again)
When you’re counting down until the moment you’re reunited.
10. Vorrei che tu fossi qui (I wish you were here)
For those moments when you simply wish the person you miss could magically appear by your side.
11. È così difficile stare lontano da te (It’s so hard to be far away from you)
Perfect for expressing how tough it is to be apart!
12. Ti penso sempre (You’re always on my mind)
A sweet and simple way to let them know they’re a constant presence in your thoughts.
13. Sei sempre nei miei pensieri (You’re always in my thoughts)
Another cute way to say they’re always there, no matter what.
14. Ho in testa solo te (I only have you on my mind)
Focused, intense, and deeply romantic!
15. Non c’è giorno in cui non pensi a te (There’s not a day I don’t think of you)
When thoughts of them accompany you every single day.
16. Non so stare senza te (I can’t be without you)
A tender admission of how much you need them – a total heart-melter!
17. Oggi mi manchi più del solito (I miss you more than usual today)
For those extra hard days when your heart aches a little more.
18. Mi ha fatto pensare a te (It made me think of you)
When something reminds you of them – a place, a song, a photo. The perfect excuse to reach out without seeming clingy.
19. Fammi sapere quando sei in zona la prossima volta (Let me know the next time you’re in the area)
When you’re hoping for a chance to be together again soon.
20. Avrei voluto stare più tempo con te (I wish I could have spent more time with you)
When you wish you could rewind time and savour each moment a little longer.
Alternative ways to say “I miss you” in Italian
When you feel that words just aren’t enough, why not let the music do the talking? From timeless classics like Mi manchi by Fausto Leali and E penso a te by Lucio Battisti to contemporary serenades like the rock vibes of Manchi by Negramaro and the playful tones of Mi manchi by Simone Cristicchi, you can just let their words amplify the echoes of your feelings.
And to add a touch of poetic flair, you can always borrow a verse or two from the maestro of romance himself, Gabriele D’Annunzio:
Non so che darei per averti qui tra le mie braccia… Fuori il sole abbaglia; si sente il rumore del mare; in un vaso i gigli mandano un profumo acutissimo spirando; le cortine dei balconi ondeggiano come vele in un naviglio. Io ti chiamo, ti chiamo, ti chiamo.
Translation: I don’t know what I would give to have you here in my arms… Outside, the sun dazzles; one can hear the sound of the sea; in a vase, lilies emit an intensely sharp fragrance as they are caressed by the breeze; the curtains of the balconies sway like sails on a ship. I call you, I call you, I call you.
Responding to “I miss you” in Italian
What if your Italian love just texted you mi manchi? Don’t panic! You can either reply with one of the phrases above or use the following suggestions to keep the romance alive:
Anche tu (You too)
Short, sweet, and to the point, this lets them know you feel the same without coming across as clingy or sottoni (Italian youth slang for those who are excessively devoted to their partner or crush).
Anche tu mi manchi tanto (I miss you a lot as well)
This one’s for when you’re really feeling the distance.
Tu di più (I miss you more)
This one will bring a smile to their face, adding a playful twist to the conversation.
Idem (Same)
A laid-back reply to keep things casual – though, as the movie Ghost showed us, sometimes simplicity can be deeply meaningful!
Non ti sei ancora stancato/a di me? (Aren’t you tired of me yet?)
A playful way to humorously distance yourself when you sense things are getting a bit too intense.
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
