long time no see

[ostap77]

"Long time no see" means "I have'n seen you in a long time"?

[bhaisahab]

"Long time no see" means "I have'n seen you in a long time"?

Yes, that's what it means.

[Abstract Idea]

Yes, as bhaisahab already said, that is what it means.

Regarding this expression, there is an interesting post by TheParser in this thread:
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...me-no-see.html

[TheParser]

"Long time no see" means "I have'n seen you in a long time"?

NOT A TEACHER

(1) I understand that it is an exact translation from Mandarin Chinese:

Hao = Very

Jiu = Long time

Bu = Not

Jian = See.

The "smooth" English translation would be "I have not seen you for a

long time" or "It has been a long time since I have seen you."

(2) If you meet someone from China, it might be better not to say

this. Perhaps some Chinese people might feel that you are mocking their

language. It would probably be safer just to use the English translation.

[ostap77]

NOT A TEACHER

(1) I understand that it is an exact translation from Mandarin Chinese:

Hao = Very

Jiu = Long time

Bu = Not

Jian = See.

The "smooth" English translation would be "I have not seen you for a

long time" or "It has been a long time since I have seen you."

(2) If you meet someone from China, it might be better not to say

this. Perhaps some Chinese people might feel that you are mocking their

language. It would probably be safer just to use the English translation.

Why did you put it like this: "It's been a long time since I have seen you"

Guess it should have been " since I saw you"? Do you guys get to meet on a regular basis?

[TheParser]

Why did you put it like this: "It's been a long time since I have seen you"

Guess it should have been " since I saw you"? Do you guys get to meet on a regular basis?

NOT A TEACHER

Hopefully, a teacher will soon answer your excellent question.

[ostap77]

NOT A TEACHER

Hopefully, a teacher will soon answer your excellent question.

Don't get mad at me. I'm just curious. I do appreciate your comment. Do you use Present Perfect in that kind of the sentence?

[e2e4]

/A learner/

"It has been a long time since I've seen you."

I must say that I am unfamiliar with this way of speaking the language.
I've tried to explain the way to myself but I couldn't.

I'd say

It's been a long time since I saw you. (Both of them know when they last met)

"It's been a long time since" could be the definite adverb of time for the simple past "saw" in the latter part.
On the other hand "I've seen you" in the latter part can not be used with the definite adverb of time.

[ostap77]

/A learner/

"It has been a long time since I've seen you."

I must say that I am unfamiliar with this way of speaking the language.
I've tried to explain the way to myself but I couldn't.

I'd say

It's been a long time since I saw you. (Both of them know when they last met)

Sorry I put this question to TheParser.

[TheParser]

Don't get mad at me. I'm just curious. I do appreciate your comment. Do you use Present Perfect in that kind of the sentence?

NOT A TEACHER

(1) I am not angry. I really do want a teacher to answer your excellent

question. I want to know the answer, too.

(2) I was able to find this in an outstanding grammar book:

It is/has been a long time since I have seen him. = I have not seen him

for a long time.

(3) Here is some more from that grammarian:

It is/has been 4 years since I have studied it. (refers to an action in

the past)

It is/has been 4 years that I have studied it. (the action continues)

It was 4 years ago that he died. (a point in the past)

It is 4 years since he died. (attention to a period of time)

(3) Your question is excellent: Can we say:

It has been a long time since I saw you. I really cannot answer

your question. I hope a teacher will enlighten us.