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long time no see
/lˈɑːŋ tˈaɪm nˈoʊ sˈiː/
/lˈɒŋ tˈaɪm nˈəʊ sˈiː/
long time no see
01
used when greeting someone after a long time has passed since one's last encounter with them
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "long time no see" and when to use it?
The exact origin of the idiom "long time no see" is not precisely documented, it is believed to have originated from a direct translation of a similar phrase in Native American Pidgin English in the late 19th century. It is an informal and friendly greeting used to express that it has been a while since the speaker last saw the other person.
Examples
John! Long time no see! How have you been?
Long time no see, my old friend. It's been years since we last met.
