In professional settings, keeping communication warm and respectful after a long absence is essential. Whether it’s to rekindle a relationship or simply to touch base, finding the right words to convey a “long time no see” message is important. This article will guide you through 22 ways to say “Long Time No See” professionally, and provide you with tips and examples that fit various professional contexts.
Alternative Ways to Say “Long Time No See”
Here is 22 alternative ways to say “Long Time No See”:
- It’s Been a While Since We Last Connected
- Long Time No Talk
- Hope This Message Finds You Well
- Long Time No Speak
- Pleasure to Reconnect With You
- Reconnecting After an Extended Absence
- Long Time No See Text Message
- Long Time No See, Long Time No Say
- Long Time No See in Mandarin
- Time Really Flies
- We Haven’t Spoken in Ages
- Trust You’ve Been Well
- Missed Our Conversations
- How Have Things Been With You?
- Great to Catch Up
- I’ve Been Thinking of Reaching Out
- It’s Been Too Long
- I Was Thinking About Our Last Conversation
- It’s Always Great to Reconnect
- Let’s Catch Up Soon
- Our Paths Haven’t Crossed in a While
- I Hope All Has Been Well
1. It’s Been a While Since We Last Connected
Best Use: When reconnecting with a colleague or business contact you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Example: “It’s been a while since we last connected, Laura. I hope all has been well on your end.”
This phrase acknowledges the passage of time without sounding awkward and opens up the conversation for an update.
2. Long Time No Talk
Best Use: Ideal for starting a casual but professional conversation, perhaps with a colleague or a business partner.
Example: “Long time no talk, Jacob. How have things been with you lately?”
Using “long time no talk” keeps the tone light, signaling that you’re happy to reconnect.
3. Hope This Message Finds You Well
Best Use: A formal yet warm way to resume contact. It shows concern for the recipient’s well-being.
Example: “Hope this message finds you well, Sarah. I’ve been thinking of reaching out for some time now.”
This professional greeting is often followed by an inquiry about the recipient’s status, making it a perfect opener for business emails.
4. Long Time No Speak
Best Use: An alternative to “long time no talk” that feels a little more formal, yet still approachable.
Example: “Long time no speak, Mike. I trust you’ve been well over these past few months.”
This phrase suits email conversations where a certain level of professionalism is required but still keeps things friendly.
5. Pleasure to Reconnect With You
Best Use: After a formal meeting or reconnection at a professional event, this phrase shows appreciation for reconnecting.
Example: “It’s a pleasure to reconnect with you, Anna. I look forward to catching up more soon.”
This expression of gratitude can be used as a follow up after a professional meeting.
6. Reconnecting After an Extended Absence
Best Use: Perfect for acknowledging a prolonged period of no contact in a professional setting.
Example: “Reconnecting after an extended absence, I wanted to check in and see how things are going on your end, David.”
This is a more direct approach that shows you’re mindful of the time gap but are interested in rekindling the relationship.
7. Long Time No See Text Message
Best Use: Suitable when texting a client or colleague. It’s simple, concise, and doesn’t need much context.
Example: “Long time no see text message, Sophia! Let’s schedule a catch up call soon.”
This can be a friendly way to initiate a text based conversation without sounding too formal.
8. Long Time No See, Long Time No Say
Best Use: This phrase is humorous and informal but could be used for a creative opening, especially if you’ve had no recent communication at all.
Example: “Long time no see, long time no say, Ethan. I’d love to reconnect and update each other on recent developments.”
This playful twist makes it engaging and may spark more interest from the recipient.
9. Long Time No See in Mandarin
Best Use: If you know the recipient speaks Mandarin, you could add a personalized touch with this expression.
Example: “Long time no see in Mandarin – 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn), Zoe! It would be great to catch up soon.”
Incorporating the recipient’s language can make your message more thoughtful and culturally considerate.
10. Time Really Flies
Best Use: Use when acknowledging how quickly time has passed since your last conversation.
Example: “Time really flies, John. We haven’t spoken in ages. How have things been with you?”
This phrase is friendly and can lead into more specific questions about what’s new with the recipient.
11. We Haven’t Spoken in Ages
Best Use: This casual phrase is suitable for catching up with a colleague or professional contact you haven’t communicated with in a long time.
Example: “We haven’t spoken in ages, Kate! Let’s reconnect and discuss some upcoming projects.”
This phrase is direct yet light, implying that it’s time for a long overdue conversation.
12. Trust You’ve Been Well
Best Use: A standard, polite greeting when reconnecting with someone professionally.
Example: “Trust you’ve been well, Liam. I wanted to reconnect and hear about your recent work.”
This phrase is often followed by a check in question, making it a perfect start for a catch up conversation.
13. Missed Our Conversations
Best Use: Ideal for reconnecting with someone with whom you’ve shared thought-provoking discussions in the past.
Example: “I’ve missed our conversations, Julie. Let’s set up a time to reconnect and update each other.”
This phrase adds a personal touch to the message and shows genuine interest in reconnecting.
14. How Have Things Been With You?
Best Use: This phrase is suitable when reaching out to inquire about a recipient’s recent life updates.
Example: “How have things been with you, Mark? It’s been too long since we last caught up.”
It’s a polite way to initiate a check-in and allows the recipient to share personal or professional updates.
15. Great to Catch Up
Best Use: Use this after reconnecting, either as part of a follow-up or in the moment of the conversation.
Example: “Great to catch up with you today, Emily. Let’s not let so much time pass before our next meeting.”
This phrase signals that you enjoyed the reconnection and would like to maintain the relationship.
16. I’ve Been Thinking of Reaching Out
Best Use: When you want to express that reconnecting has been on your mind for a while.
Example: “I’ve been thinking of reaching out, Daniel. It’s been too long since we last spoke.”
This phrase adds a personal touch, showing that you genuinely wanted to reconnect.
17. It’s Been Too Long
Best Use: A simple, friendly way to acknowledge the passage of time without sounding too formal.
Example: “It’s been too long, Megan! We should catch up soon.”
This phrase is ideal for casual yet professional reconnections.
18. I Was Thinking About Our Last Conversation
Best Use: A great way to reference a past discussion, making the outreach feel more personal.
Example: “I was thinking about our last conversation, Jacob, and realized we haven’t caught up in quite some time.”
This approach shows that you remember your previous interactions and are eager to continue the dialogue.
19. It’s Always Great to Reconnect
Best Use: Suitable for after a chance meeting or if you’ve recently crossed paths but want to formalize the reconnection.
Example: “It’s always great to reconnect, Sarah. Let’s not let too much time pass before we speak again.”
This phrase adds warmth to your message, making it feel genuine.
20. Let’s Catch Up Soon
Best Use: Perfect for a quick and direct way to suggest a meeting or conversation after a long gap.
Example: “Let’s catch up soon, Anna. It’s been a while since we’ve touched base.”
It’s a versatile phrase, ideal for email, text, or in person conversations.
21. Our Paths Haven’t Crossed in a While
Best Use: A slightly more formal way of acknowledging that you haven’t been in touch.
Example: “Our paths haven’t crossed in a while, Laura. I’d love to reconnect and hear how things are going.”
This phrase works well in professional contexts where you want to sound polished but friendly.
22. I Hope All Has Been Well
Best Use: A professional and kind way to inquire about someone’s well being, especially after a long period of silence.
Example: “I hope all has been well, Mike. It’s been a while since we last caught up.”
It’s polite and can lead into a more in depth conversation about what’s new with the recipient.
Is it Professional to Say “Long Time No See”?
Using the phrase “long time no say” in a professional setting can be seen as informal and may come across as slightly awkward or unpolished. While it may work in casual contexts, it’s important to be mindful of the relationship and the tone you’re aiming for in business communication. For more formal or professional interactions, it’s better to use phrases like “it’s been a while since we last connected” or “long time no speak”. These alternatives sound more polished and maintain professionalism while still acknowledging the passage of time.
Frequently Asked Question
Is it correct to say “Long time no see”?
Yes, but it is informal and may not be suitable for professional settings.
What is another way to say “long time no see”?
You can say “It’s been a while” or “We haven’t spoken in ages”.
Do British people say “long time no see”?
Yes, British people do use the phrase, but it’s considered informal.
How do you say “Long time no see” in text?
You can text “Long time no talk” or “It’s been too long”.
Conclusion
There are countless ways to professionally say “long time no see.” Whether you choose long time no talk, reconnecting after extended absence, or long time no see text message, your approach should always be polite, engaging, and thoughtful. By using these phrases and expressions, you can turn what might seem like an awkward conversation into an opportunity to reconnect and update each other in a professional and meaningful way.
William Henry is a writer for Grammar Max, a blog that focuses on synonyms and phrases. He loves exploring the quirks of the English language and enjoys helping readers improve their vocabulary. William’s articles are easy to read, fun, and full of useful tips for anyone looking to better understand and use English. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone interested in language, William’s writing on Grammar Max makes learning about words and their meanings simple and enjoyable.
