What does a guy means when he says "I miss you dearly?"?

I say to my friends “I’ve missed you a bunch” (or a lot).

Could be just friendship,

A lit. It means he misses you a lot.

If you’re good friends that haven’t been able to talk/hang out for a while then it’s completely appropriate. BUT it could indicate attraction. Just saying.

The simple translation of “dearly” here is “very much.”

I would read it as an expression of strong feelings, but not necessarily romantic ones. Had you received any signs of attraction on his part in the past?

I’ve had queries like this recently too…. Imagine my surprise upon learning that in French, “I hug/kiss you tenderly” can be said between friends O_o

My daughter used to tell her friend: I love you dearly, not queerly.

@filmfann: I love all my friends queerly.

Yeah.. In a very recent past there were more than signs of attraction but inevitable facts drove us thousands of miles apart… I’m just trying to figure out where are we standing now before answering him back how much I miss him…

Great answer Bookish =)

@Sayd_Whater With the additional information that you have revealed, I think it indicates romantic attraction.

@marinelife Would you think any different without it?

Perchance, is this guy British? My partner is, and he uses this phrase. The English also use terms like. “Oh dear!” and “Deary me!” and “No Dear…” and “Dearest”. These phrases may be old-fashioned…I honestly don’t know yet, but they tend to get used by the people I hang out with when there.

It’s a rather old-fashioned saying and it means he misses you very much. But this saying does not specify whether it’s romantic or as a friend, You could say this to a lover, a friend, a family member, or even just someone you barely know but still miss a lot.

@Sayd_Whater I would give it slightly less emphasis without that information, but I still think there’s a good chance.

I have heard, over the years, some women say about their husbands, when they have been married for decades, “I love him dearly…” and then you wait for the “but.”

I wouldn’t gush, but responding that you miss him, too, seems appropriate. Let him be the one who elaborates, first.

@gailcalled Yes I knew someone who always used to say that about his family. I love them dearly but….

^^^ it seems to be a backhanded compliment, doesn’t it. My friends seem to clench their teeth when they use that expression.

Yes it does… I’m still a lil confused about it! “Dearly” seems way too “sweety” and respectful for any kind of romantic attraction… I could see myself using it for family members and even then only for younger nephews and nices but, I don’t know why but it doesn’t seem the best way to tell it to friends or lovers. In this case I would definatly use other expressions!.. But since I’m not a native speaker I really don’t know that’s why I’m asking…
“Missing you dearly” seems to keep a certain distance, don’t you think?

It doesn’t sound like someone wanting to keep a certain distance to me. It sounds more like the person truly misses you, and that their heart aches when they think about you not being with them.

^^ If so, why not say that?

“I truly miss you and my heart aches when I think about you not being with me.”