Chinese Conversation · Level 1
86 words
Chinese word
好久不见
Pronunciation
Pinyinhǎo jiǔ bù jiàn
Meaning
- interjectionlong time no see
Example
好久不见，好久没见到你了。háo jiǔ bú jiàn háo jiǔ méi jiàn dào nǐ le
Long time no see; I haven't seen you in a long time.
More examples
在公司电梯里遇到老同事，我笑着说：好久不见了。zài gōng sī diàn tī lǐ yù dào lǎo tóng shì wǒ xiào zhe shuō háo jiǔ bú jiàn le
I met a former coworker in the company elevator and said with a smile, "Long time no see."
Core concept
A warm reunion greeting that marks a long gap since the last meeting.
Common phrases
好久不见了háo jiǔ bú jiàn le
long time no see
好久不见啊háo jiǔ bú jiàn a
long time no see
好久不见啦háo jiǔ bú jiàn la
long time no see
Similar words
好久没见háo jiǔ méi jiàn: A casual greeting pointing out that a long time has passed since the last meeting.
好久不见了háo jiǔ bú jiàn le: A laid-back greeting for a reunion after a long time without meeting.
很久不见hěn jiǔ bú jiàn: A standard greeting used when meeting someone after a long absence.
久违了jiǔ wéi le: A more formal greeting expressing pleasure at a reunion after a long absence.
Definition in Chinese
用于见面时的打招呼，表示与对方很长时间没有见面，常用于朋友或熟人相遇时。yòng yú jiàn miàn shí de dǎ zhāo hū biǎo shì yǔ duì fāng hěn cháng shí jiān méi yǒu jiàn miàn cháng yòng yú péng yǒu huò shú rén xiāng yù shí
Word origin
The phrase combines 好久 (hǎojiǔ, "a long time") with 不见 (bùjiàn, "not see"), turning a long absence into a familiar greeting.
Usage tips
- English speakers may hear an apology, but this Chinese expression usually functions as a warm greeting rather than an admission of fault.
Other meanings
- sorry I haven't been in touchinterjection