16 Other Ways to Say Long Time No See (With Examples)

You know that feeling when you run into an old friend after years? It feels great, but using the same old phrase can be boring. Learning other ways to say long time no see helps your talk sound natural. Let’s look at some very easy ways to greet people you have not seen in a while.

16 Other Ways to Say Long Time No See (With Examples)

It Has Been a While

This is a very common and friendly way to greet someone. You can use it with friends or even people you work with. It sounds soft and polite because it shows you noticed the time passing. People like hearing this because it feels warm and welcoming. You do not need to be fancy when you use this phrase. It works perfectly in almost any situation where you want to be nice and start a good conversation.

It has been a while since we met.
Wow, it has been a while, how are you?
It has been a while, let us chat soon.
I noticed it has been a while since then.
It has been a while, you look so great.
Believe me, it has been a while, my friend.

Look Who It Is

If you want to sound excited, this is the perfect choice for you. It shows that you are surprised and happy to see the person right now. Use this when you run into a friend at the park or a store. It makes the meeting feel like a fun celebration. Your friend will feel special because your voice sounds full of energy. It is a simple way to make someone smile and feel very important today.

Look who it is, I missed you much.
Oh my god, look who it is right here.
Look who it is, what a lovely surprise now.
Well look who it is, you look so happy.
Look who it is, we should talk more often.
Hey look who it is, come give me a hug.

How Have You Been

This phrase is excellent because it asks a question while saying hello. You are showing that you care about their life and their health. It opens the door for the other person to tell you their news. It is very polite and easy to say to anyone you know. When you use this, you sound like a very kind person who listens well. It is a great way to start a long and happy talk.

How have you been since the last time?
It is great to see you, how have you been?
How have you been, did you move house yet?
Tell me truly, how have you been lately friend?
How have you been, is your family doing well?
I was wondering, how have you been these years?

Nice to See You Again

You should use this phrase when you want to be very polite and sweet. It is a classic way to show that you enjoy the person's company. It works well at parties or even at a business meeting. Saying again makes it clear that you remember meeting them before. It builds a strong bridge between the past and now. Everyone likes to feel that they were remembered and that their presence brings joy to your day.

Nice to see you again, you look wonderful.
It is truly nice to see you again today.
Nice to see you again, let us grab coffee.
Oh, nice to see you again after so long.
It is so very nice to see you again.
Nice to see you again, I hope you stayed well.

It Has Been Ages

When you have not seen someone for many years, this is a fun phrase to use. The word ages makes it sound like a very long time has passed. It is a bit dramatic but in a very friendly way. Use this with your best friends from school or old neighbors. It shows that you have missed them a lot. It creates a feeling of nostalgia and makes the reunion feel very special and quite significant.

It has been ages, where have you been hiding?
Wow, it has been ages since we last spoke.
It has been ages, you have grown so much.
I cannot believe it has been ages for us.
It has been ages, let us catch up now.
It has been ages, I almost forgot your face.

Where Have You Been Hiding

This is a funny and playful way to greet an old friend. It sounds like a little joke between two people who know each other well. You are teasing them because they were away for a long time. It makes the atmosphere feel light and relaxed right away. People usually laugh when they hear this. It is a very conversational way to show that you noticed they were not around for a few months or years.

Where have you been hiding all this long time?
Seriously, where have you been hiding lately, my friend?
Where have you been hiding, I missed your jokes.
Tell me, where have you been hiding these days?
Where have you been hiding, you look very busy.
Hey, where have you been hiding from me lately?

I Have Not Seen You in Forever

Using the word forever is a common way to say it has been a long time. It is not literal, but it shows strong emotion. This is very popular among young people and close friends. It sounds very warm and sincere when you say it with a big smile. It tells the other person that their absence was felt deeply. You can use this to make a big deal out of seeing your favorite person again.

I have not seen you in forever, come here.
I have not seen you in forever, how life?
Wow, I have not seen you in forever, friend.
I have not seen you in forever, let us talk.
It feels like I have not seen you in forever.
I have not seen you in forever, stay a while.

So Glad to Run Into You

This phrase is perfect for when you see someone by accident. It shows that the surprise meeting has made your day much better. It is a very positive way to start a conversation on the street. It makes the other person feel like a lucky charm. Using this phrase makes you seem very friendly and approachable. It turns a random moment into a very happy memory for both of you to share for a long time.

So glad to run into you at the mall.
I am so glad to run into you today.
So glad to run into you, how is work?
Truly, so glad to run into you right now.
So glad to run into you, you look great.
I am so glad to run into you here.

It Has Been Too Long

When you feel like you should have met sooner, use this phrase. It shows a little bit of regret that so much time passed. It tells the person that you value their friendship highly. This is a very touching way to greet someone you really care about. It encourages the other person to make plans with you again. It is simple, short, and carries a lot of meaning when you say it from your heart.

It has been too long, let us meet soon.
It has been too long, I missed our talks.
Wow, it has been too long, how are kids?
It has been too long, we need a chat.
I feel it has been too long for us.
It has been too long, let us go eat.

I Missed Seeing Your Face

This is a very personal and sweet way to say hello. It is best used with family members or very close friends. It shows that you really enjoy looking at them and being near them. This phrase is very warm and can make someone feel loved instantly. It is a great way to break the ice if you have been apart for a long time. It makes the connection feel strong and very deep today.

I missed seeing your face so much, my dear.
I missed seeing your face, you look so lovely.
Honestly, I missed seeing your face around here lately.
I missed seeing your face, come sit with me.
I missed seeing your face, it has been years.
I missed seeing your face, tell me your news.

What Have You Been Up To

This is a great conversational starter for any situation. It is very casual and asks the person to share stories about their life. You can use it with anyone from an old classmate to a former coworker. It shows that you are interested in their journey since the last time you met. It is a very easy way to get people talking about themselves. Most people love to share what they have been doing recently with others.

What have you been up to since last year?
What have you been up to, anything new today?
What have you been up to, are you working?
Tell me, what have you been up to lately?
What have you been up to, you look busy.
What have you been up to, how is school?

Long Time No Talk

If you are speaking on the phone or texting, this is a perfect choice. It is a variation of the classic phrase but fits better for voice or chat. It is very simple and easy for anyone to understand. You can use it to restart a conversation with someone you have not messaged in months. It feels very relaxed and does not put too much pressure on the other person. It is a very modern and friendly greeting.

Long time no talk, how is your new job?
Long time no talk, let us catch up now.
Long time no talk, I hope you are well.
Hey, long time no talk, what is the news?
Long time no talk, we should call each other.
Long time no talk, I missed our long chats.

It Is Great to Catch Up

You can say this at the beginning or middle of a meeting. It shows that you are enjoying the process of learning about their life again. It is a very positive phrase that keeps the energy high. Using this makes the other person feel that their stories are interesting to you. It is a polite way to acknowledge the gap in time while focusing on the fun of the present moment. It is very helpful for building bonds.

It is great to catch up with you today.
It is great to catch up, tell me more.
Wow, it is great to catch up after years.
It is great to catch up, you are funny.
It is great to catch up, let us do this.
Truly, it is great to catch up with old friends.

How Is Everything Going

This is a very broad and kind question to ask someone. It covers work, family, and personal life all at once. It is a very easy way to show that you care about their whole world. Use this when you want to be a good listener and let them talk. It is very polite and works well in both formal and informal settings. People appreciate when you ask about their life in such a gentle and open way.

How is everything going with your new house now?
How is everything going, are you still at work?
How is everything going, I hope it is good.
Tell me, how is everything going with your family?
How is everything going, you seem very happy today.
How is everything going, any big changes for you?

I Am So Happy to See You

Sometimes the simplest words are the best ones to use. Saying you are happy is very direct and honest. It makes the other person feel very welcome and wanted. This phrase is perfect for reunions or unexpected visits. It creates a very warm atmosphere immediately. You do not need to use big words to show your love or friendship. This easy sentence says everything that needs to be said to an old friend today.

I am so happy to see you, my friend.
I am so happy to see you here today.
I am so happy to see you, you look great.
Truly, I am so happy to see you right now.
I am so happy to see you, let us talk.
I am so happy to see you after so long.

It Is Been Way Too Long

This phrase adds a little more emphasis to the time passed. Using the word way makes it sound like you really missed the person. It is very conversational and sounds like something a real person would say. It is great for emotional reunions or seeing a friend you truly value. It shows that the time apart was felt by you. This is a very strong and kind way to restart a friendship with someone special.

It is been way too long, how are you?
It is been way too long, come inside now.
Wow, it is been way too long for us both.
It is been way too long, let us have fun.
It is been way too long, I missed you much.
It is been way too long, let us stay close.

16 Other Ways to Say Long Time No See (With Examples)

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed learning these new phrases to make your English sound more natural and friendly. Using other ways to say long time no see can help you connect better with the people you care about. Whether you want to be funny, sweet, or professional, there is always a perfect choice for you. Keep practicing these easy sayings every time you meet someone old. It will make your conversations much more exciting and help you build very strong friendships.