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How to Say ‘It's been a while.’ in Japanese

ご無沙汰しています。

go mu sata shi te i masu

[goh boo SAH-tah shee teh ee mahs]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the polite greeting when you haven't seen someone in a long time. It carries a hint of "sorry for not keeping in touch", which in-laws will appreciate.

Phrase Breakdown

ご

[goh]

honorific prefix

A polite prefix added to some nouns to make them more respectful or formal.

Example

ご相談の前にお名前をお願いします。

Before the consultation, may I have your name, please?

無

[boo]

without; no

A kanji meaning 'nothing' or 'lack', forming part of the word for not keeping in touch.

Example

無料のお茶をどうぞ。

Please have some free tea.

沙汰

sata

[SAH-tah]

news; tidings

Old word for communication or news; combined with 無 it means 'long silence'.

Example

長い間ご無沙汰しました。

I haven't been in touch for a long time.

し

shi

[shee]

do (stem)

Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.

Example

注文をお願いし、ます。

I would like to place the order, please.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

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.

い

[ee]

to be; ongoing state

Part of the progressive or current-state expression.

Example

空いていますかを確認します。

I will check whether they are available.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

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