How to Say ‘I haven't been able to visit for a long time’ in Japanese
なかなか伺えなくて
nakanaka ukagae naku te
[nah-KAH-nah-kah oo-kah-GAH-eh naku teh]
💬 Usage Tip: なかなか followed by a negative means "just can't manage to," not "quite": なかなか眠れない "I just can't get to sleep." 伺えなくて is the humble verb 伺う (ukagau) "to visit" in its can't-form, ending in て to give the reason.
Phrase Breakdown
なかなか
nakanaka
[nah-KAH-nah-kah]
(not) easily; hardly
With a negative verb, means something does not happen easily or for a long time.
なかなか会えません。
I can hardly ever see them.
伺え
ukagae
[oo-kah-GAH-eh]
be able to visit (humble)
Potential form of the humble verb 伺う, to visit someone respected.
明日伺えますか。
May I visit tomorrow?
なく
naku
[naku]
not
Negative form indicator.
今日は行けなくなった。
I can't go today.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
仕事を探している人と話しました。
I spoke with a person who is looking for work.
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