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

お久しぶりです。

おひさしぶりです。

💬 Usage Tip: Combines [お久しぶり] and [です] for polite context. Pronounced as (o-hisashi-buri-desu).

🇯🇵 In Japan: Shows formality while expressing joy in seeing someone again.

Phrase Breakdown

お久しぶり

です

Word-by-Word Breakdown

[o]

polite prefix

A polite prefix used before words.

Example

お元気ですか?

How have you been?

久しひさし

[hisashi]

long time

Refers to a long duration.

Example

久しぶりに電話しました。

I called after a long time.

ぶりぶり

[buri]

since

Indicates a period since an event.

Example

ぶりに故郷に帰りました。

I returned to my hometown after a while.

ですです

[desu]

is/am/are

A copula used to affirm conditions or identity.

Example

友達です。

He/She is a friend.

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