久しぶり
hisashiburi[çi̥sa̠ɕibɯ̟ɾʲi]
In Japanese, the phrase "long time no see" is expressed as 久しぶり (hisashiburi). Wiktionary also lists お久しぶりです (o-hisashiburi desu).
Meaning: idiomatic: I (or we) have not seen you for a long time (intj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 久しぶり | hisashiburi | [çi̥sa̠ɕibɯ̟ɾʲi] (narrow) |
| お久しぶりです | o-hisashiburi desu | [o̞çi̥sa̠ɕibɯ̟ɾʲi de̞sɨ̥] (narrow) |
The phrase is used as a greeting when encountering someone you have not seen for a significant period of time.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hisashiburi is an informal version used with friends, family or people of equal or lower social status. For a more polite or formal tone, such as when speaking to a superior or a client, use お久しぶりです. This polite form is often employed in professional settings or when showing respect to someone older or higher in status.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle ne to the end of hisashiburi as in 久しぶりだね makes the phrase sound more conversational and seeks agreement from the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
hisashiburi
Did you know?
- In highly formal business contexts, Japanese speakers may avoid お久しぶりです and instead use ご無沙汰しております, which literally apologizes for the lack of contact.
- Depending on the tone, 久しぶり can be used sarcastically when someone finally shows up after being unreliable, similar to saying 'Look who finally decided to show up'.
- Even if you have only seen someone after a few weeks, using hisashiburi is culturally acceptable to express warmth, even if the time period isn't objectively 'long'.
Examples in context
- お久しぶり。Long time, no see.This sentence shows a very short, casual way to say "Long time, no see."Tatoeba #417005 by bunbuku, translation #417003 by CK
- 久しぶりだね。Long time no see!This sentence uses a conversational particle to say "Long time no see!"Tatoeba #417004 by bunbuku, translation #1230521 by alec
- よう、久しぶり。Hey, long time no see.This sentence shows how to use the phrase in a casual greeting like "Hey, long time no see."Tatoeba #3576197 by arnab, translation #3575393 by CK
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two former classmates run into each other at a cafe.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、久しぶり！Himari, hisashiburi!Himari, long time no see!
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君、久しぶりだね！Youta-kun, hisashiburi dane!Youta, it's been a long time!
- 陽太 Yota元気だった？genki datta?How have you been?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、元気だよ。un, genki dayo.Yeah, I've been well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long time no see” translations and entries 久しぶり, お久しぶりです, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
