Inklingo

How to Say "you miss" in Spanish

English → Spanish

echas de menos

EH-chas/ˈe.t͡ʃas/

Verb PhraseB1Informal
Use 'echas de menos' when you are feeling the absence of someone or something, implying a sense of longing or sadness.
Two simplified characters facing each other. The character on the left is pointing an accusatory finger directly at the character on the right.

Examples

Te echo de menos cuando no estás aquí.

I miss you when you are not here.

Siempre echas la culpa a tu hermano.

You always blame your brother (literally: you always throw the blame onto your brother).

Si te vas de viaje, ¿a quién echas de menos?

If you go on a trip, who do you miss?

Fixed Phrase: Echar de menos

This phrase echar de menos always means 'to miss' someone. It’s important to learn it as one unit, not individual words.

Confusing 'Echar' and 'Tirar'

Mistake: “Using 'tirar' when you mean 'to pour' (e.g., *tirar azúcar*)”

Correction: Use 'echar' for adding ingredients/liquids: 'echas azúcar' (you add sugar). 'Tirar' usually means 'to throw away'.

extrañas

ess-TRAH-nyah/eksˈtɾaɲa/

VerbA2Formal
Use 'extrañas' (formal 'usted' command or third-person singular) when someone is feeling the absence of someone or something, often in a more detached or observational way than 'echar de menos'.
A small child sitting alone on a window sill, hugging a teddy bear and looking outside with a sad, longing expression.

Examples

Usted extraña su hogar con frecuencia.

You (formal) miss your home frequently.

Mi hermana extraña mucho a su perro.

My sister really misses her dog.

El presidente ya no extraña la vida de la ciudad.

The president no longer misses city life.

Usted, por favor, extraña los días soleados.

You (formal), please miss the sunny days (e.g., focus on them). (Formal command - less common usage)

Using 'Extrañar'

Unlike the verb 'gustar' (to like), 'extrañar' works like regular verbs: the subject (who feels the emotion) performs the action. For example, 'Ella extraña...' (She misses...).

Confusing 'Extrañar' and 'Echar de Menos'

Mistake: “I miss you is sometimes translated word-for-word as 'Yo extrañas tú' or 'Te echo de menos' is forgotten.”

Correction: The most common expression for 'I miss you' is 'Te extraño' or 'Te echo de menos.' Remember 'Te' is the object (the person missed).

pierdes

pee-AIR-des/pjeɾðes/

VerbB1General
Use 'pierdes' when you are referring to failing to catch, attend, or obtain something, such as a train, an opportunity, or a game.
A person running with an outstretched hand, looking frustrated as a large, red bus drives away, showing they failed to catch it.

Examples

Si te duermes, pierdes la película.

If you fall asleep, you miss the movie.

Si llegas tarde, pierdes el tren.

If you arrive late, you miss the train.

Si no estudias, pierdes una gran oportunidad.

If you don't study, you miss a great opportunity.

Si no te apuras, pierdes la entrada al concierto.

If you don't hurry up, you miss the concert entry.

Missing vs. Missing

English uses 'miss' for both sentimental absence ('I miss you') and failing to catch ('I miss the bus'). Spanish uses 'perder' only for the latter (missing a bus/opportunity). For sentimental absence, use 'extrañar' or 'echar de menos'.

Using 'perder' for sentimental missing

Mistake: “Tú pierdes a tu familia (Incorrect for 'You miss your family')”

Correction: Tú extrañas a tu familia. Use 'perder' only for things you can physically lose or miss.

Confusing Absence with Failure

The most common mistake is using 'pierdes' when you mean to express longing for someone or something. Remember, 'pierdes' is for missing an event or opportunity, while 'echas de menos' and 'extrañas' are about feeling someone's absence.

Related Translations

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