Hello.
I heard that in English speech.
So, to me, it seems that no hear (from you) would also good, wouldn't it?
Is long time not seeing you correct?
Thanks, Alex.
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Hello.
I heard that in English speech.
So, to me, it seems that no hear (from you) would also good, wouldn't it?
Is long time not seeing you correct?
Thanks, Alex.
'Long time(,) no see' is a fixed phrase. You can't alter it, except for humorous effect.
No, this is a fixed idiom. It's not a template for anything else. No variations are good unless they are used jokingly.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexAD
For example, if you occasionally "chat" to a person by typing, you might say "Long time, no type to". I have used that line with my sister because i) She understands the joke ii) She knows that I know correct English and iii) She knows me, and how to interpret what I type.
I don't advise playing with this phrase under other conditions unless you're sure you know what you're doing. Even the original "Long time no see" might sound as if you simply don't know English if your English truly isn't good.
May I add what my experience was with this phrase? The first few times I heard that expression I thought I wasn't really getting things right...That I was missing things being said in the middle of that phrase. Then I realised it was an idiom and came to terms with it.
However, I've never been 100% comfortable with it (or confident?). I don't think I've ever used it.
I've always preferred.
I haven't seen you in ages!!!
***** NOT A TEACHER *****Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexAD
(1) You probably already know this, but please remember that "Long time no
see" is a direct translation from Mandarin Chinese.
(2) If you meet any Chinese people in the business world, I suggest that you
NOT use this phrase. They would likely find it very patronizing, so that you would
probably lose the contract!
Interesting! :-)
I think the idiom might invented from Chinese, it’s most likely from Hong Kong people. (Several decades ago, many Hong Kongers migrated or studied abroad in western countries. [At that time, mainland China was not yet open to the world – very few people from mainland China went outside.])
‘Long time no see’ in Chinese = 很久不見
and I think ‘I haven't seen you in ages’ is much better to describe its meaning.
Thanks all!
I never knew I would have learned so much from such an innocent phrase.
TheParser, actually I was not aware of that. Good that you mentioned it.
I don't get why I would loose a contract saying this phrase to Chinese people.
Could you please dawn the light on this especially for me?
Regards, Alex.
***** NOT A TEACHER *****Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexAD
(1) I apologize for not being clearer.
(2) I was trying to say that some Chinese people might feel that you were mocking
them -- and their language -- and that they, therefore, would not do business with
you.
(3) Some Chinese are highly educated and speak better English than do many
native speakers. They might feel insulted if you said, "Long time no see." That sounds
like pidgin English.
(4) Of course, if you said "Long time no see," you would NOT be trying to
mock them, but they would not know that.
(5) I agree with Shannico and dawnngcm: use a more natural phrase. It will avoid
any misunderstanding and sound more natural: It's really great to see you again! It's
been ages, hasn't it?
(6) In this highly competitive global economy, you young people have to be very
sensitive when dealing with other cultures.
Oh, now I see.
I guess it could still be used in informal conversations with close friends, couldn't it?
Naturally. It's just one of those phrases I never took to...