long time no see
After lengthy absence
Long time no see is a greeting acknowledging that you haven't seen someone in a while: Long time no see! How have you been?
The phrase mimics pidgin English syntax, likely originating from Chinese or Native American contact languages in the 19th century.
It's now fully naturalized and used without any sense of mockery.
- break the iceInitiate social interaction
- catch-upReaching others' level
- reacquaintanceRenewed knowledge of someone
- lost touchCeased maintaining contact
- reunionGathering after separation
blast from the past · welcome back · back in town · absence · homecoming · better late than never · old friend · remember when · reappearance · pidgin English · reconnection · bygone era · idiom · cross-cultural exchange · familiarity · catching up · embrace · hello again
- Pleasantriesplease, thank you, thanks, sorry, excuse me
- reunion phrasesold friend, familiar face, good old days, welcome back, back again
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- Catching Upreunion, reconnecting, coffee date, phone call, update
- Chinglishno can do, lose face, give face
- homecoming greetingswelcome home, welcome back
meeting vs. parting
long time no seegoodbye
Departing salutation
farewell · see you later · until we meet again · so long · take care