"Long time no see"
By srainow
@srainow (87)
China
January 7, 2009 5:54am CST
Time flies. It has been 5 months since i log on mylot last time. A sentence happened to come to my mind just now that "Long time no see". Does any body know the meaning of this sentence? Maybe you think this sentence doesn't follow the right grammar. Yes, you are right. This is a "chinglish" sentense. My English teach advised me that native speaker never says this sentence, it is from china. But according to my search on google, this chinglish sentence has gone back to English and accepted by the English speakers. Tricky? yeah, really.
By the way, Happy New Year, my dear friends!!
1 person likes this
7 responses
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
23 Apr 09
It has also been awhile for me too. The sentence I believe means something or someone that you visit or see often but it has been awhile since the last time you saw them. I though it was one of those chienesse saying that we adapted, or something. I'm not really sure on that one.
@jands1 (835)
• United States
18 Feb 09
Yay you are back srainow! I was getting worried. *hugs*
As for what to say or not to say, phooey I say. In my travels around the world, from war torn countries in South America to the beautiful concrete jungle of Hong Kong, so long as one is friendly and respectful, what is said is not as important as the fact a person is trying. In fact, my feeble attempts at others' languages have gained me more friends than my only speaking English. After all, laughter is a great ice breaker AND a great way to relax people and form a bond. 
@srainow (87)
• China
8 Jun 09
Thank you Jands and sorry for the late response to your post. Yes, you are right. I discovered that human beings had the same nature. People like others with friendship, respect, smile, etc. So, people from any areas can becoming friends. That's why we want and are trying to make friends on My lot and any other international websites. Anyway, enjoy your life!
@France7 (385)
• Philippines
24 Jan 09
Hi Srainow!:)
I am not actually a native speaker but most of my English native speaking friends use this. This is an informal expression that is used when you suddenly met a friend or colleague of your whom you haven't seen for a long time. Another expression that we can use for this is "I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been?":)
