What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cuánto tiempo (how much time), sin (without) and hablar (to speak).
Which one should you use?
While ¡Cuánto tiempo sin hablar! focuses on the act of speaking, you may use ¡Cuánto tiempo sin vernos! if you are greeting someone in person rather than over a phone or text. Other variations include the more dramatic ¡Hace una eternidad que no hablamos! to express that it has been an eternity since you last spoke.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you can use the expression Hace muchísimo que no nos hablamos to convey the idea of a long time no speak. In Spain, people often say Hace un montón que no nos vemos to mean 'It's been ages since we last saw each other' or Hace siglos que no hablamos to mean 'It's been centuries since we last spoke.'
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are greeting someone in person rather than over a phone or text, you can replace hablar (to speak) with vernos (to see each other).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwanto ˈtjempo ˈsin aˈblaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word tiempo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'temperature'. Both words trace back to an ancient root meaning 'to stretch', referring to the stretching of time or an extent of heat.
- When using the colloquial Spanish phrase Hace un montón, the word montón literally refers to a 'pile' or 'heap'. It is used metaphorically to describe a large quantity of time.
Examples in context
- Hace mucho tiempo que no hablamos, ¿cómo ha estado usted?It has been a long time since we last spoke, how have you been?
- ¡Hace una eternidad que no hablamos! Todavía recuerdo nuestras conversaciones, ¿cómo has estado?It's been an eternity since we last spoke! I still remember our conversations, how have you been?
Example conversation
Two friends meet unexpectedly on the street.
- ElenaHola, Alejandro. ¡Cuánto tiempo sin hablar!Hi, Alejandro. Long time no speak!
- Alejandro¡Hola, Elena! Es verdad, hace mucho.Hi, Elena! It's true, it's been a long time.
- Elena¡Qué gusto verte!It's so good to see you!
- AlejandroIgualmente, ¡estás muy bien!Likewise, you look great!
