What Does “I Want to Be with You so Badly” Mean?

Download Article

Understand (and respond to) the popular phrase with this guide

Co-authored by Dev Murphy, MA Reviewed by John Keegan

Last Updated: August 12, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Meaning
|
• How to Interpret It
|
• How to Respond
|
• Similar Phrases

|Show more |Show less

Ever hear “I want to be with you so badly” from someone and not know how to respond? What it mean, anyway? Well, it basically means that they feel really emotionally close to you or that you turn them on—or both! We’ll go over it in more depth in the article below, and we’ll also offer advice on how to reply in person or over text, whether you’re into them…or not!

“I Want to Be with You So Badly” Meaning

When someone says, “I want to be with you so badly,” they mean they have a strong emotional and/or physical attachment to you. You might hear this sentence (or read it in a text) from someone you’re dating or someone who’d like to date you, or perhaps from a long-term partner if you’ve been apart for a while.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

What does “I want to be with you so badly” mean?

Download Article

1. 
   They feel a strong emotional or physical connection to you. If someone tells you they “want to be with you so badly,” they may be trying to tell you they crave your company because they feel really close to you. It may also indicate they want to be sexually intimate with you (or at least have a good solid makeout sesh).

   • You might say this to someone after you've established some sort of romantic interest. Maybe you're actively dating, or you've been out once or twice and things are really starting to heat up.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 4:

How to Interpret “I Want to Be with You So Badly”

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Take note of their body language. If you’re not sure whether they means “I feel emotionally close” or “I want to sleep with you,” carefully observe their body language. If they're more flirty, you’re probably safe to interpret the sentence as sexual, whereas if they're a little more physically withdrawn, they may not mean it in a sexual way.

   • Are they leaning toward you, making direct eye contact, or licking their lips? These are signs they may be physically interested in you.
   • Another sign of sexual interest is physical touching: do they lightly tap or stroke your shoulder? Are they holding your hand?
   • Alternatively, if their body language is more reserved, they may just mean to convey emotional affection.
   • Also remember that someone might say this when they find you physically attractive but aren't ready to take things to that level yet! "I want to be with you so badly" is almost always said in a romantic context.
2. 
   2
   Consider your conversation leading up to this. Are you talking to a friend who you haven’t seen in a while about how much you miss them, or are you texting after a hot date with your new beau?

   • For instance, if you say, “I’m going to see the new Twisters movie tonight” and they say, “I want to be with you so badly!” they might just mean they wish they could see the movie with you.
   • On the other hand, if someone you went out with last night texts you to tell you how great you looked in your dress and follows it with, “I want to be with you so badly 😛” it might be a sign they're into you in a romantic and sexual way.
   • On that note, check for emoji usage—if they pair the text with a sexy emoji, like 🍆 (eggplant), 🌷 (tulip), 🍑 (peach), 💦 (water droplets), 🥵 (hot panting face), or 😛 (face with tongue out), they might be a li’l turned on.
   • But if they pair it with a ❤️ (heart), 😙 (kiss), or other affectionate emoji, they might just be being romantic, and not necessarily sexual.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 4:

How to Respond to “I Want to Be with You So Badly”

Download Article

1. 
   1
   If you feel the same, let them know. If you suspect the person is interested romantically and sexually and the feeling is mutual, reply in an equally sexy way.

   • “I know, I want you so much it hurts.”
   • “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
   • "You're the only one for me."
2. 
   2
   If you’re not feeling it, let them down firmly but kindly. Maybe you heard these words from a date you just didn’t have sparks with, or from someone you see as just a friend. Shut them down firmly, but try to be kind, if possible.

   • “You know, I really love your company, but I don’t think I see us as more than friends.”
   • “It was great getting to know you, but I don’t think I feel the same way about you.”
   • “I had a good time tonight, but I don’t think there will be another date. I wish you well.”
3. 
   3
   If you want to slow things down, make it clear. Maybe you’re really into this person, but you suspect they're ready to take things up a notch, and you’re not quite ready for that. Let them know you’re feelin’ it, but you’d like to see where things go before moving faster.

   • “I love being with you, but I’m glad we’re taking things slow for now.”
   • “I can’t wait to see where this goes, but I don’t want to rush into it.”
   • “Me too, but this is something really special, and I don’t want to mess it up by going too fast too soon.”
Advertisement

Section 4 of 4:

Similar Phrases

Download Article

1. 
   There are other ways to express this sentiment. Want to change up your flirting lexicon? Try these similar phrases:

   • I want you so badly it hurts.
   • I can't breathe when I'm around you.
   • I can't get you off of my mind.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!