How do I say I saw you


In a non creepy way maybe?

(additional question, how would I respond to that claim with 'it turned out to
be someone else')




I believe the feeling you're trying to convey would best be expressed with
"見かける". "見る" is literally "to see". "見かける" is more like "to happen to see" or
"to catch sight of". Of course saying "あなたを見ました" makes sense, but to a native
speaker it sounds so literal--sort of like saying "I saw the signpost." I
think you should say "X-さんを見かけました". If this person is an acquaintance or
friend, you should use the more informal past tense form of "見かける" and say
"X-さんを見かけた".

