How to Say ‘Not see; haven't seen’ in Traditional Chinese
不見
bù jiàn
[boo jyen]
💬 Usage Tip: In [好久不見], [不見] doesn't literally mean a deliberate "not see"; together the whole phrase means "haven't seen each other for a long time." You can reuse [不見] this way in set phrases, but usually for ordinary "don't see" you'd say something fuller like [看不到] or [沒看到].
Phrase Breakdown
不
bù
[boo]
not; no
不 is the basic negation word in Mandarin. In 不見, it means not seeing or not having seen.
這段時間太忙，所以不常見面。
We've been too busy during this period, so we don't meet often.
見
jiàn
[jyen]
to see; to meet
見 means to see or meet. In 不見, it refers to not seeing someone for some time.
好久不見，我一看到你就很高興。
Long time no see; I was very happy as soon as I saw you.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Spent three months in Taiwan and this app was my lifeline. The tonal practice with real scenarios helped me sound less like a textbook and more like a person.”
Laura H., 28, Photographer
“Shanghai business dinners require real Mandarin skills. This app’s scenario-based approach meant I could keep up with clients after just a month of practice.”
Ryan M., 36, Consultant
“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”
James O., 28, Remote Worker