A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Long time no see" in French
The go-to French phrase for when you haven't seen someone in ages.
Ça fait longtemps !
sah fay lohn-TAHNcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you bump into someone you know well after a significant period, like months or even years. It's a warm and familiar way to acknowledge the time that's passed.
Alternatives
- Ça fait un bail !Even more casual, often used among younger people.
- Ça fait un moment !Slightly less emphatic than 'longtemps', good for shorter gaps.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'longtemps'
The 'n' is nasal, and the final 'ps' is silent; don't pronounce it like the English word 'temps'.
Forgetting 'ça'
You need 'ça' to mean 'it' or 'that' in this expression; just saying 'fait longtemps' isn't standard.
A small cultural note
While this phrase is common, French culture often values directness, so a simple 'Salut ! Comment ça va ?' might also suffice even after a long absence.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say long time no see in French?
The most common way is 'Ça fait longtemps !'. It's a friendly and widely understood expression.
Is 'Ça fait longtemps' formal?
No, this phrase is generally casual and best used with people you know well. For more formal situations, you might rephrase or simply stick to a standard greeting.
What's another way to say long time no see in French?
A very casual alternative, especially popular with younger generations, is 'Ça fait un bail !'. It carries a similar meaning of a long absence.
