Long Time No See: Meaning and How to Use It

Meaning 1：greeting for a long absence (long time no see)

long time no see 🔊

/lɔːŋ taɪm noʊ siː/

phr.

A friendly greeting used when you meet someone you haven't seen in a long time.

Long time no see greeting with friends hugging in park

greeting for a long absence 🔊

➕

/ˈɡriːtɪŋ fɔːr ə lɔːŋ ˈæbsəns/

phr.

An informal phrase used as a friendly greeting when meeting someone you have not seen for a significant period of time.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Chinese 'hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn', literally 'good long not see'; a calque that entered English via pidgin.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a clock showing a long time has passed, and you say 'no see' because you haven't seen them.

📖 Example

Hey, Tom! Long time no see! How have you been since we graduated? 🔊 Hey, Tom! Long time no see! How have you been since we graduated?

🔗 Collocations

say long time no see – to utter the greeting phrase

hear long time no see – to listen to someone using that greeting

smile and say long time no see – to deliver the greeting with a friendly expression

🔄 Synonyms

It's been a while (phrase) – Informal expression indicating a long period since last meeting

How long has it been? (phrase) – Question used to ask about the duration since last meeting

Good to see you again (phrase) – Friendly greeting expressing pleasure at meeting someone known

🚫 Antonyms

see you soon (phrase) – Expression used when expecting to meet again shortly

see you later (phrase) – Casual farewell implying a future meeting

📖 Cultural Story

This phrase originated from Chinese Pidgin English in the 19th century, used by Chinese immigrants. It became widespread in American English and is now a standard friendly greeting.