پارسال دوست امسال آشنا
pārsāl dūst emsāl āshnā
The Persian phrase for "long time no see" is پارسال دوست امسال آشنا (pārsāl dūst emsāl āshnā).
This is an idiomatic expression used to indicate that you have not seen someone for a long period of time.
Meaning: idiomatic: I (or we) have not seen you for a long time (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Last year friend, this year stranger".
How do you pronounce it?
pārsāl dūst emsāl āshnā
Did you know?
- The word دوست for 'friend' is derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to taste'.
- In this expression, the word آشنا functions as a bittersweet label. While it means 'acquaintance', it is used here to highlight the distance created by time, rather than just stating a level of familiarity.
- The phrase uses a symmetrical structure comparing 'last year' to 'this year' to mark the passage of time, rather than mentioning how many months or years have actually passed.
Example conversation
Maryam and Reza meet unexpectedly at a cafe.
- مریم Maryamرضا! پارسال دوست امسال آشنا!Reza! pārsāl dūst emsāl āshnā!Reza! Long time no see!
- رضا Rezaمریم، چقدر خوشحالم که میبینمت.Maryam, cheghadr khoshhālam ke mibīnamet.Maryam, I am so glad to see you.
- مریم Maryamمن هم همینطور. کجای دنیا بودی؟Man ham hamīntor. kojāye donyā būdī?Me too. Where in the world have you been?
- رضا Rezaکمی مشغول کار بودم.Kamī mashghūle kār būdam.I was a bit busy with work.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آشنا, امسال, دوست, پارسال, CC BY-SA 4.0.
