Meaning and Usage
"久しぶり" (hisashiburi) literally means "after a long time" and is commonly used to express that something or someone has not been seen or done for a while. It is often used in greetings when meeting someone after a long interval.
Common Contexts
You will hear "久しぶり" in casual conversations when reconnecting with friends, family, or colleagues. It can also describe a rare occurrence, such as a day off or an event happening after a long gap.
Collocations and Patterns
- 久しぶりに + verb: "doing something after a long time" (e.g., 久しぶりに映画を見た - I watched a movie after a long time)
- 久しぶりですね: a polite greeting meaning "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
- 久しぶりの + noun: "a rare/long-awaited + noun" (e.g., 久しぶりの休み - a rare day off)
Register and Politeness
"久しぶり" is generally casual but can be used politely with です or ね. It is suitable for friends, acquaintances, and informal business settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "久しぶり" with "長い間" (ながいあいだ), which means "for a long time" but is more formal and used differently. Remember, "久しぶり" is often used in greetings or to emphasize the gap since last meeting or doing something.