Other Ways to Say “Long Time No See”

It’s common to use “long time no see” as an expression to greet someone after a long while. This phrase is universally understood and easy to use, but there are other ways to express the same sentiment more creatively. Depending on the situation, your choice of words can differently convey the same feeling with more variety. You might want to adapt your language to different levels of formality to match the context and relationship you share with the person.

When you’re reconnecting, it can be an exciting and sometimes emotional experience. Finding the right words, especially when catching up with an old friend, a distant relative, or a former colleague, can be important. Using a classic way to acknowledge the gap in your last meeting works well, but adding creative alternatives can make the moment feel more present and thoughtful.

Long Time No See

Table of Contents

Ways to Say “Long Time No See”

It’s been ages
I haven’t seen you in forever!
Where have you been hiding?
We’ve really lost touch
Good to see you!
feels like a lifetime since we last met
Finally, we can reconnect
what a welcome sight!
I’ve missed you!
It’s been a minute, and it’s such a pleasure to see you again
It’s been quite some time since our paths crossed.
Our time apart has been very noticeable
it’s great to be back together!
After that lengthy interlude, this reunion is truly celebrated.
Time has flown
I’m so elated to meet you again!
What a nice surprise
I’ve been thinking about catching up!
Great to see you again,
it’s been too long!
What a surprise, I’m so glad we’re reunited!
Nice to catch up after all this time
It’s been years
feels like an eternity since we last met
Such a pleasure
this reunion was way overdue.
Hasn’t it been a pleasant meeting after so long?
Fancy running into you!
We haven’t talked in ages
Hey, bud, it’s been forever since we hung out!
Wassup, man? It’s been a minute
Still around, old friend? Feels like it’s been agesYou Might Also Like To Read Alternative Phrases for “Take Care”

Formal Expressions

It’s been ages
Explanation: The phrase “It’s been ages” is a casual, friendly expression that highlights a long time has passed without contact. It’s a common way to emphasize the extended duration since you last met someone.
Example: Wow, it’s been a significant period since we last saw each other. How’s everything been during this considerable amount of time?

Finally, we can reconnect
Explanation: The phrase “Finally, we can reconnect” emphasizes the end of a period apart and suggests an immediate offer to spend time together. It’s a great way to show you’re eager to catch up.
Example: Finally, we should grab coffee next week. My treat—it’s been too long!

Good to see you!
Explanation: The phrase “Good to see you!” expresses genuine pleasure in seeing someone after a long time. It shows a desire to catch up and suggests that despite the years apart, it feels like no time has passed
Example: Good to see you! It’s been so long, but it feels like we were chatting yesterday. Let’s meet more frequently!

It’s been quite some time since our paths crossed.

Explanation: This phrase suggests that a respectful appreciation of time has passed since your last encounter. It acknowledges past interactions with a tone of gratitude and reflection.
Example: It’s been quite some time since our paths crossed. Your insightful guidance back then was truly helpful.

Our time apart has been very noticeable
Explanation: When you say this, you express how the absence of a person or team had a significant impact. It highlights their invaluable expertise during their time apart.
Example: During your absence, your expertise was greatly missed, and the impact was truly noticeable.

After that lengthy interlude, this reunion is truly celebrated.

Explanation: A lengthy interlude makes this reunion even more celebrated. The time passed has been significant, and it’s a joy to be together again.
Example: Seeing you after so long is an unexpected delight—your return is truly celebrated!

I’m so elated to meet you again!
Explanation: The word elated conveys a joyful emotion of being able to meet again after a period apart. It indicates how much the return is appreciated.
Example: I’m so elated you’re back after your sabbatical. It’s great to finally be together again!

It’s been a pleasure to see you again
Explanation: This phrase is a polite, formal acknowledgment of someone’s presence after a long time. It’s one of the simplest expressions, yet effective in conveying genuine happiness.
Example: It’s been a pleasure to see you again. Your presence was greatly missed, and this reunion is truly great!

Such a pleasure
Explanation: Saying “Such a pleasure” is a straightforward and simple way to express happiness at seeing someone after a long time. It’s warm and highly effective in conveying joy during a reunion.
Example: It’s such a pleasure seeing you again after so long!

This reunion was way overdue
Explanation: This phrase emphasizes that the reunion should have happened sooner, as it feels overdue after so much time elapsed. It suggests that the long wait makes the meet-up even more special.
Example: This reunion was way overdue—I can’t believe how quickly the years have gone by!

It’s been years
Explanation: The phrase “been years” emphasizes a long period of time since the last encounter. It highlights how much time has passed, making the reunion feel more meaningful.
Example: It’s been years since we last met—feels like forever!

Feels like an eternity since we last met
Explanation: This phrase exaggerates the amount of time that has passed since you last met, to express the sense of a long absence. It’s a casual way to emphasize how much time has gone by.
Example: It feels like an eternity since we last met—such a long time has passed!

You Might Also Like To Read Polite Ways to Say “See You Tomorrow”

Informal Expressions:

I haven’t seen you in forever!
Explanation: This exaggeration is used to express the feeling of an eternity since you last met. It’s a casual, slightly hyperbolic way to highlight the long absence.
Example: I haven’t seen you in forever—feels like we haven’t hung out in ages!

Where have you been hiding?
Explanation: This playful expression suggests someone’s absence has been noticed for too long. It implies they’ve been difficult to find, adding a teasing, light-hearted tone.
Example: Where have you been hiding? I’ve missed our lunches—it’s great to see you again!

We’ve really lost touch
Explanation: This phrase indicates a loss of communication over a period and acknowledges the joy of reconnecting. It suggests a long gap in contact but expresses happiness in catching up.
Example: We’ve really lost touch since college—it’s great to catch up again!

It’s been a minute, and it’s such a pleasure to see you again.
Explanation: The phrase “been a minute” is colloquial and ironic, meaning it’s been a long while despite sounding short. It adds a casual, trendy touch to the expression.
Example: It’s been a minute since our beach trip—such a pleasure to see you again!

Time has flown
Explanation: This reflective remark expresses how quickly the passage of time has gone by since your last meeting, often used to acknowledge how much has happened in the interim.
Example: Time has flown since we last met—you’ve completed your world travels already!

What a nice surprise
Explanation: This phrase expresses genuine delight at an unexpected encounter, often used to show excitement when meeting someone you weren’t expecting to see.
Example: What a nice surprise to run into you here—it’s been too long!

What a surprise, I’m so glad we’re reunited!
Explanation: This phrase expresses surprise and happiness at being reunited after a long time. It conveys the joy of seeing someone again unexpectedly. This phrase expresses surprise and happiness at being reunited after a long time. It conveys the joy of seeing someone again unexpectedly.
Example: What a surprise, I’m so glad we’re finally reunited after all this time!

Great to see you again, it’s been too long!
Explanation: This phrase conveys warmth and slight regret for the time apart, suggesting a desire to meet more often. It’s a casual way to express that it’s been longer than expected.
Example: Great to see you, buddy! It’s been too long—we should get together more often.

Nice to catch up after all this time
Explanation: This phrase acknowledges the time apart and indicates excitement to meet and talk after so long. It suggests there’s a lot to discuss and stories to share.
Example: Nice to catch up—it’s been a long time with so much to talk about!

Fancy running into you!
Explanation: This playful phrase expresses surprise and joy at a chance meeting after a long time. It highlights the spontaneous nature of the reunion.
Example: Fancy running into you here! It’s been such a long time!

We haven’t talked in ages
Explanation: This straightforward phrase acknowledges the time passed since your last conversation. It’s light-hearted and can be used to compliment the person during a reunion.
Example: We haven’t talked in ages—it’s fantastic to see you looking so good!

Hey, bud, it’s been forever since we hung out!
Explanation: This casual greeting highlights the long time that’s passed since the last time you spent time together. It expresses familiarity and excitement to reconnect.
Example: Hey, bud, it feels like forever since we hung out—we’ve got to catch up soon!

You Might Also Like To Read Different Ways to Say “Catch You Later”

Neutral/Versatile Expressions (Formal or Informal):

Feels like a lifetime since we last met
Explanation: This dramatic phrase uses exaggeration to express how long the time has felt since you last met. It conveys a strong sense of the long absence.
Example: It feels like a lifetime since we last met—so much time has passed!

I’ve been thinking about catching up!
Explanation: This phrase shows the person has been on your mind and that a reunion would be meaningful. It conveys a warm, thoughtful desire to reconnect.
Example: I’ve been thinking about catching up—it’s so great to see you!

Hasn’t it been a pleasant meeting after so long?
Explanation: This phrase reflects on the enjoyment of reconnecting after a long time, expressing satisfaction with the meeting.
Example: Hasn’t it been great to see each other again after all this time? Feels good to catch up!

Friendly/Casual:

Wassup, man? It’s been a minute
Explanation: This casual phrase expresses a relaxed, friendly greeting after some time apart, showing a sense of familiarity and easygoing excitement to reconnect.
Example: Wassup, man? Can’t believe it’s been a minute—let’s catch up soon!

Still around, old friend? Feels like it’s been ages
Explanation: This phrase mixes playfulness with nostalgia, acknowledging a long time apart while expressing surprise and happiness to reconnect.
Example: Still around, old friend? I swear, it feels like it’s been ages since we last met!

Warm/Emotional:

I’ve missed you!
Explanation: This is one of the simplest expressions to convey a heartfelt feeling during a long time apart. It warmly acknowledges the absence of the person and joyfully welcomes their return.
Example: I’ve missed you—it’s so good to see you again around the office. Welcome back!

You Might Also Like To Read Unique Ways to Greet in the Afternoon

Excited/Happy:

When to Use “Long Time No See”

The phrase “Long time no see” is an informal greeting used to indicate both surprise and joy at seeing someone after a significant amount of time apart. It’s perfect for moments when you haven’t seen a person in a while and want to express how happy you are to reconnect after the period of separation. This expression is commonly used between people who haven’t encountered each other for a long time.