Translation guide
Expressing that a long duration has passed, often with a sense of 'it's been a while' or 'for a long time'. Japanese uses various time-related words and phrases depending on the nuance.
Long time no see!
for a long time
Greeting someone you haven't seen in a while, or remarking on the passage of time since an event.
The most common way to say 'long time no see' in casual settings. Can be used alone or with です for politeness.
Long time no see! How have you been?
Literally 'for a while', often used in the phrase しばらくですね meaning 'it's been a while, hasn't it?'.
A formal expression used when you haven't contacted someone for a long time, often in letters or emails.
I apologize for not being in touch for so long. (very formal)
Describing an action or state that continues over a long period.
Something happens after a long interval or absence.
Adverbial form meaning 'for the first time in a long time'. Used with verbs.
Referring to something that happened far in the past.
Means 'a long time ago', emphasizing the distance in time.
Both can mean 'it's been a while', but 久しぶり is more common as a greeting. しばらく is often used in the phrase しばらくですね and can also mean 'for a while' in other contexts.
Long time no see!
It's been a long time. (polite)
しばらくですね。
It's been a while, hasn't it?
The most direct translation, meaning 'for a long time'. Used in both positive and negative sentences.
Thank you for everything you've done for me over the long time.
I waited for a long time.
A more formal term for 'long period', often used in business or technical contexts.
It withstands long-term use.
An adverb meaning 'all along', 'continuously', or 'for a long time'. Emphasizes the continuous nature.
I've known for a long time.
It's been raining for a long time.
Specifically refers to a long duration of hours, like 'for many hours'.
Long working hours are bad for your health.
I watched a movie for the first time in a long time.
Similar to 久しぶりに, but slightly more casual or less common.
I returned to my hometown after a long time.
I moved a long time ago.
Literally 'great antiquity', used for very ancient times or hyperbolically.
That's a story from a long, long time ago.
It's been a while, hasn't it?
While 長い時間 is grammatically correct, it's often more natural to use 長い間 or ずっと depending on the context. 長い時間 is used for specific durations of hours.