好久

• Pinyin: hǎo jiǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 好 = here used as an adverb meaning 'very, quite'; 久 = an ancient character meaning 'long time'

Meaning

A long time; quite a while. Emphasises a considerable duration.

More emphatic and colloquial than 很久. Commonly used in greetings after not seeing someone for a while: 好久不见 (long time no see).

Examples

1. 好久不见，你最近怎么样？ Long time no see — how have you been?
2. 我等了好久才买到票。 I waited a very long time before I could get a ticket.
3. 他好久没有回家了。 He hasn't been home for a long time.

Usage Guide

Context: greetings, time expressions, conversation

Tone: warm, nostalgic

Do Say

• 好久不见！(Long time no see!)
• 我好久没吃中国菜了。(I haven't eaten Chinese food in a long time.)

Don't Say

• 不要把好久和好多混淆 — 好久 refers to time duration (a long time), while 好多 refers to quantity (a lot). They use the same 好 intensifier but modify different things.

Origin & History

Compound of 好 (very, quite — intensifier) and 久 (long time, a long duration).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal