Meaning
To feel the absence or longing for a person or thing.
Cultural Background
Brazilians use 'sentir falta' very casually. It doesn't always imply a deep tragedy; it can just mean 'I noticed you weren't there'. In Portugal, you might hear 'Estou com saudades' more frequently for emotional missing, while 'sentir falta' is used for functional missing. Many Bossa Nova and Pagode songs use 'sentir falta' to describe the bittersweet feeling of a breakup.
The 'De' Rule
Always put 'de' after 'falta'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Sinto sua falta
Using the possessive 'sua' is a very natural and common way to say 'I miss you' in Brazil.
Meaning
To feel the absence or longing for a person or thing.
The 'De' Rule
Always put 'de' after 'falta'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Sinto sua falta
Using the possessive 'sua' is a very natural and common way to say 'I miss you' in Brazil.
Don't 'Perder' People
If you say 'Perdi meu amigo', people will think your friend died or you lost them in a crowd!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and article.
Eu sinto falta ___ (the) pizza da Itália.
Pizza is feminine singular, so de + a = da.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I miss you' to a friend?
You must use 'sentir falta' with the preposition 'de'.
Match the feeling to the situation.
You moved to a new city and miss your old park.
Parque is masculine, so de + o = do.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você gosta de morar aqui? B: Sim, mas sinto falta ___ meus amigos.
Amigos is masculine plural, so de + os = dos.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu sinto falta ___ (the) pizza da Itália.
Pizza is feminine singular, so de + a = da.
How do you say 'I miss you' to a friend?
You must use 'sentir falta' with the preposition 'de'.
You moved to a new city and miss your old park.
Parque is masculine, so de + o = do.
A: Você gosta de morar aqui? B: Sim, mas sinto falta ___ meus amigos.
Amigos is masculine plural, so de + os = dos.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot exactly. 'Sentir falta' is more about the absence of something, while 'saudade' is a deeper emotional state. You can feel 'falta' of your keys, but you have 'saudade' of your childhood.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'Sinto sua falta' or 'Sinto falta de você'.
You say 'Sinto falta deles' (masculine) or 'Sinto falta delas' (feminine).
Yes, but they also use 'fazer falta' (e.g., 'Tu fazes-me falta').
Related Phrases
Ter saudades
similarTo have 'saudade' (deep longing).
Fazer falta
builds onTo be missed / To be necessary.
Sentir saudade
synonymTo feel longing.
