How to Say ‘It's been a long time.’ in Japanese
お久しぶりです。
o hisashi buri desu
[oh hee-sah-shee boo-ree dess]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a standard polite greeting when meeting again after some time. It fits well with in-laws and other adults you want to sound respectful with.
Phrase Breakdown
お久しぶり
o hisashi buri
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix used here to make the greeting respectful.
お久しぶりです。
It has been a long time.
久し
hisashi
[hee-sah-shee]
long time
Part of the greeting お久しぶりです, used when meeting someone again after some time.
久しぶりですね。
It's been a while, hasn't it?
ぶり
buri
[boo-ree]
after a long time
This completes 久しぶり, the core phrase meaning 'after a long time' or 'it's been a while.'
ぶりが入ると久しぶりになります。
When buri is included, it becomes hisashiburi.
です
desu
[dess]
is / am / are
A polite ending that makes the greeting sound courteous.
お久しぶりです。
It has been a long time.
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