Long time no see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'Long time no see' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to casually greet someone whom you have not seen in a long time. For example, you might say, "Hey, John! Long time no see!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Long time no see".

The New York Times

"Long time no see, Dor".

The New Yorker

"Long time, no see".

The Guardian

Long time no see!'" He scowls.

Independent

"Long time no see," I say.

The New Yorker

"Long time no see," he said, laughing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Are you joining the network to connect with your long-time-no-see friends?

WikiHow

Call a long-time-no-see friend, ask them to come for dinner or for a cup of tea, a beer or a piece of cake.

WikiHow

For a long time, no one spoke.

The New Yorker

Long time no blog!

BBC

Long time, no speak [laughs].

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Long time no see" in informal settings when greeting someone you haven't encountered for an extended period. It's suitable for friends, acquaintances, or former colleagues.

Common error

Avoid using "Long time no see" in professional emails or formal speeches. Opt for a more appropriate greeting such as "I hope this email finds you well" or "It's a pleasure to reconnect with you after some time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Long time no see" functions as an idiomatic greeting. It's used to acknowledge a significant period since the last encounter with someone. Ludwig's examples show its usage in casual conversations and narratives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Long time no see" is a common and informal greeting used to acknowledge a period of separation from someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically acceptable and widely understood. While its usage is prevalent in news, media, and informal contexts, it should be avoided in formal or professional settings. Consider alternatives like "It's been a while" or "Good to see you again after so long" depending on the situation. Remember to reserve "Long time no see" for friendly, casual encounters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's been a while

This is a more concise way of saying you haven't seen someone recently.

I haven't seen you in forever

Emphasizes the extended period of time in an informal way.

We haven't seen each other in ages

Emphasizes a longer duration since the last meeting.

It's been a long while since we last met

A slightly more formal way to express a similar sentiment.

Good to see you again after so long

Highlights the pleasure of reconnecting after a considerable time.

How have you been since our last encounter?

A more elaborate and polite inquiry about someone's well-being.

What have you been up to since I last saw you?

Focuses on inquiring about the person's recent activities.

Where have you been hiding?

A playful way of implying someone has been out of contact.

Fancy meeting you here after all this time

An exclamation expressing surprise and pleasure at the unexpected reunion.

I didn't expect to run into you here

Emphasizes the surprise element of the reunion.

FAQs

How can I use "Long time no see" in a sentence?

You can start a conversation with someone you haven't seen in a while by saying, "Hey John, "long time no see"! How have you been?"

What's a more formal alternative to "Long time no see"?

In a professional setting, you might say "It's a pleasure to reconnect with you after some time" instead of "long time no see".

Is "Long time no see" grammatically correct?

While not grammatically standard, "Long time no see" is a widely accepted and understood idiom used in informal conversation.

What can I say instead of "Long time no see" to express surprise?

To express surprise, you could use alternatives like "fancy meeting you here" or "I didn't expect to run into you here".