long time no see [!--chinese--]
UK
US
Paraphrase
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Meaning & Usage:
“Long time no see” is an informal greeting used when reuniting with someone after a long absence. It conveys warmth and casual familiarity, often replacing more formal phrases like “It’s been a while.” Despite its non-standard grammar, it is widely understood and accepted in spoken English across North America, the UK, and beyond.
Origin & History:
The phrase first appeared in print in 1900 in William F. Drannan’s memoir Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains, where a Modoc Native American character says: “Good mornin’. Long time no see you.” While often assumed to be Chinese Pidgin English, linguistic evidence suggests it may have originated from Native American English adaptations — a literal translation of indigenous speech patterns. However, its structural similarity to Mandarin “好久不见” and Cantonese “好耐冇见” likely contributed to its adoption and spread among Chinese immigrants and later global English learners.
Linguistic Status:
Though once labeled “Chinglish,” it is now officially recognized as an idiomatic expression in major dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster. It exemplifies how non-standard, culturally borrowed phrases can evolve into mainstream vernacular.
Cultural Integration:
The phrase has permeated film, television, and pop culture — appearing in everything from The Simpsons to Friends — and is frequently used self-referentially by native speakers to signal humor or nostalgia. Its acceptance reflects the dynamic, inclusive nature of global English.
“Long time no see” is an informal greeting used when reuniting with someone after a long absence. It conveys warmth and casual familiarity, often replacing more formal phrases like “It’s been a while.” Despite its non-standard grammar, it is widely understood and accepted in spoken English across North America, the UK, and beyond.
Origin & History:
The phrase first appeared in print in 1900 in William F. Drannan’s memoir Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains, where a Modoc Native American character says: “Good mornin’. Long time no see you.” While often assumed to be Chinese Pidgin English, linguistic evidence suggests it may have originated from Native American English adaptations — a literal translation of indigenous speech patterns. However, its structural similarity to Mandarin “好久不见” and Cantonese “好耐冇见” likely contributed to its adoption and spread among Chinese immigrants and later global English learners.
Linguistic Status:
Though once labeled “Chinglish,” it is now officially recognized as an idiomatic expression in major dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster. It exemplifies how non-standard, culturally borrowed phrases can evolve into mainstream vernacular.
Cultural Integration:
The phrase has permeated film, television, and pop culture — appearing in everything from The Simpsons to Friends — and is frequently used self-referentially by native speakers to signal humor or nostalgia. Its acceptance reflects the dynamic, inclusive nature of global English.
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