久しぶり

• Reading: ひさしぶり
• Romaji: hisashiburi
• Kanji breakdown: 久 (long time) + しぶり (interval/since) → it has been a long time since
• Pronunciation: /çi.sa.ɕi.bɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Long time no see — used when meeting someone you haven't seen in a while.

A versatile reunion greeting that works for any timeframe from a few weeks to many years. 久しぶり is casual and warm, expressing genuine pleasure at seeing someone again. The polite form お久しぶりです is used with superiors or less familiar people. It can also modify nouns to mean 'the first time in a while' (e.g., 久しぶりのラーメン).

Examples

1. 久しぶり！元気だった？ Long time no see! How have you been?
2. 久しぶりに会えて嬉しい！ It's so great to see you again after so long!
3. 久しぶりのカラオケ、楽しみ！ Ramen for the first time in ages — I'm pumped!

Usage Guide

Context: reunions, meeting old friends, casual encounters

Tone: warm, pleased

Do Say

• 久しぶり！全然変わってないね (Long time no see! You haven't changed at all)
• 久しぶりだね、最近どう？ (It's been a while, how have you been?)

Don't Say

• 毎日会う同僚に「久しぶり」は変 — 実際に間が空いた時だけ使う (Saying 久しぶり to coworkers you see daily is odd — only use when there's been an actual gap)

Common Mistakes

• Using 久しぶり with superiors or in formal settings — use お久しぶりです instead
• Not realising 久しぶり can also be used for activities, not just people (久しぶりの旅行 = first trip in a while)

Origin & History

From 久しい (hisashii, 'long time') + ぶり (buri, 'since/interval'). Literally 'it has been a long interval.' A standard Japanese expression used for generations.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional, longstanding usage

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. One of the most common reunion greetings. The polite form お久しぶりです is essential for formal situations.