久违

• Pinyin: jiǔ wéi
• Hanzi breakdown: 久 = pictograph of a person supported from behind — enduring, long time; 违 = 辶(walk away) + 韦 (leather, phonetic) — to be apart from

Meaning

Long time no see; it's been a long time (since we last met or encountered something).

A warm, slightly literary expression used when reuniting with someone or encountering something after a long absence. It conveys both the passage of time and a note of longing or nostalgia. Can refer to people (久违了，老朋友！) or things (久违的味道 = a long-missed flavour). Often used in the opening lines of a reunion speech or sentimental writing.

Examples

1. 久违了，老同学！没想到在这里遇到你，真是太惊喜了。 Long time no see, old classmate! I never expected to run into you here — what a wonderful surprise.
2. 春节回家，闻到了久违的妈妈做的红烧肉的香味，瞬间鼻酸。 Coming home for the Spring Festival, I caught the long-missed scent of Mum's red-braised pork and immediately felt my nose sting with emotion.
3. 这场久违的大雪覆盖了整个城市，让人仿佛回到了童年时光。 This long-awaited snowfall blanketed the entire city, making one feel transported back to childhood.

Usage Guide

Context: reunion, nostalgia, literary expression

Tone: warm and nostalgic

Do Say

• 久违的阳光终于出现了，大家都跑到户外享受这难得的好天气。(The long-missed sunshine finally appeared, and everyone ran outside to enjoy the rare fine weather.)
• 久违了！上次见面还是三年前吧？(Long time no see! The last time we met was three years ago, wasn't it?)

Don't Say

• 我久违了这道题。(久违 implies emotional longing for something missed — not appropriate for math problems or neutral objects)

Origin & History

久 (long time) + 违 (to be separated from, to go against — classical meaning: to be apart from). Together: to have been separated for a long time. A classical expression retained in modern Chinese as a warm reunion phrase.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal