¡cuánto tiempo!
/ˈkwanto ˈtjempo/word by word
The English phrase "hey stranger" can be translated into Spanish as ¡cuánto tiempo!
The phrase is used as an exclamation to express that a long time has passed since the last encounter. It serves as an informal way to acknowledge a person you once knew but haven't seen or spoken to in a while.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
¡cuánto tiempo! is informal and is used with friends or acquaintances rather than in formal business settings. If you need to approach someone you do not know in a polite or formal manner, use Disculpe to mean "excuse me".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwanto ˈtjempo/
Did you know?
- If you were to use the literal Spanish translation for 'stranger', such as desconocido, it would sound like a police report or a warning rather than a friendly greeting.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¡cuánto tiempo! is often accompanied by a physical touch, such as a hug or a kiss on the cheek, even if you have not seen the person in years.
- In some regions, people might jokingly add ¡estás vivo! meaning 'you are alive!' after saying ¡cuánto tiempo! to tease a friend for disappearing.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier bump into each other at a cafe.
- Elena¡Hola, Javier! ¡Cuánto tiempo!Hi, Javier! It's been a long time!
- Javier¡Elena! Es verdad, ¡cuánto tiempo!Elena! You're right, it's been ages!
- Elena¿Cómo va todo?How is everything going?
- JavierTodo bien, ¿y tú?Everything is good, and you?
