How to Say "I Miss You" in Spanish

The most common everyday phrase is "te extraño," widely used in Latin America; in Spain people usually say "te echo de menos." Both are standard and natural, so choose according to the region or the person you are speaking with.

The most common way

I miss you; I feel your absence.

How to say it: Stress the middle syllable: teh eks-TRAH-nyoh. The ñ sounds like the ny in "canyon."

Other ways to say it

Spain / standard

I miss you — the usual everyday phrase in Spain, warm and neutral.
When to use it: Use it in Spain with friends, family or a partner; it is also understood elsewhere.
stronger / affectionate

I miss you a lot — adds clear emotional intensity.
When to use it: Say it to someone close when you want to emphasize how much you feel their absence.
intimate

I need you; your absence is hard for me — more personal than the standard phrase.
When to use it: Use it with a partner or very close person when you mean their presence is what you miss.
literary / romantic

I long for you — poetic and intense, not everyday chat.
When to use it: Use it in romantic writing or a heartfelt moment, not in casual small talk.
casual / intense

I'm dying to see you — playful, strong longing.
When to use it: Say it to a close friend or partner in a casual, expressive message; too much for professional contexts.

In a conversation

A
, ¿ ? .
Hi, how are you? I miss you a lot.
B
. ¿ ?
I miss you too. When shall we see each other?
A
, .
Saturday, if you can.

Common mistakes

~~Te hecho de menos~~ → Te echo de menos
"Echo" comes from echar and has no h; "hecho" means "done" or "made."
~~Te echo menos~~ → Te echo de menos
The fixed phrase needs "de": "echar de menos."