How to say "long time no see" in Chinese

This is a fixed expression: 好久 (hǎojiǔ) means "a long time" and 不见 (bújiàn) means "not seen." Together they form a standard greeting.

Use this when you encounter someone after a long absence, such as a friend, colleague, or acquaintance. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings. English speakers might be tempted to add "I have" (e.g., "I haven't seen you for a long time"), but in Chinese, the phrase stands alone as a complete greeting.