How to Say ‘It's been a while.’ in Japanese
ご無沙汰しております。
go mu sata shi te ori masu
[goh moo SAH-tah shee te oh-ree mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: 無沙汰 is read (busata), so the whole phrase is (go-busata shite orimasu). おります is a humble form of います, which makes this noticeably polite.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard opener when you see in-laws or older acquaintances after months apart. It carries a slight apology for not keeping in touch, and that tone suits a returning son- or daughter-in-law.
Phrase Breakdown
ご無沙汰
go mu sata
a long silence / not being in touch
A polite noun meaning you haven't contacted someone for a long time. Say go-bu-sa-ta, with even, flat syllables.
ご無沙汰して、すみません。
Sorry I haven't been in touch.
Words in this phrase
ご
go
[goh]
polite prefix (adds respect)
Honorific prefix used to make a noun more polite. Common in neighbor-related phrases to sound considerate.
ご近所の方には、いつでも言ってくださいと伝えました。
I told the neighbors, “Please tell me anytime.”
無
mu
[moo]
without; lacking
Kanji meaning 'nothing' or 'without'; here part of the set phrase for not being in touch.
無料で入れます。
You can enter for free.
沙汰
sata
[SAH-tah]
news; tidings
Old word for communication or news; combined with 無 it means 'long silence'.
長い間ご無沙汰しました。
I haven't been in touch for a long time.
しております。
shi te ori masu
I have been (doing)
The humble, polite form of している. The 'i' in 'shi' is often softened: shi-te o-ri-ma-su.
楽しみにしております。
I am looking forward to it.
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.
注文をお願いし、ます。
I would like to place the order, please.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
おり
ori
[oh-ree]
be doing / humble polite form
From おる, a humble form of いる. In service language, it adds politeness.
現在そのサービスは行っておりません。
We are currently not offering that service.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
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