What happens in the video
Hana sees Theo again and admits that she remembers his face and his laugh, but not his name. Theo jokes about it and tells her: it's Theo. Hana greets him properly with "Good to see you, Theo. How have you been?", and Theo answers, then confesses that he forgot her name too.
1 Long time no see!
Tone Casual and playful
Use it with friends you haven't seen lately, usually as the first thing you say. It's very informal, so avoid it in a job interview or with someone you barely know.
Long time no see.
For example:
A: Maya? Long time no see!
B: I know! It's been more than a year.
2 It's good to see you.
Tone Warm and polite
This works with friends and coworkers, in casual or more formal places. Use it for people you already know. For someone you are meeting for the first time, say "It's nice to meet you" instead.
It's good to see you.
For example:
A: It's good to see you.
B: You too. How was your trip?
3 How have you been?
Tone Caring and sincere
Ask this to learn about someone's life since the last time you met. It invites a longer answer than "How are you?", so use it when you have time to listen.
How have you been?
For example:
A: How have you been?
B: Pretty good. I started a new job in the spring.
A: That's great. Tell me about it.
4 It's been ages!
Tone Friendly and surprised
Say this when a lot of time has passed since you last met. "Ages" means a very long time, not an exact number of years. It's informal, like "Long time no see!"
For example:
A: Sam! It's been ages!
B: I think the last time was at Lena's party.
5 Look who it is!
Tone Cheerful and informal
Use it when you suddenly see a friend you know well. It sounds happy and a little loud, so it can feel strange with a manager or a stranger.
For example:
A: Well, look who it is!
B: Hi! I didn't think you'd be here.
6 What have you been up to?
Tone Relaxed and curious
Ask this after the greeting to hear about work, hobbies, or plans. "Up to" means "doing." It's friendly and casual, so in a formal meeting "How has work been?" may fit better.
For example:
A: So, what have you been up to?
B: Not much. I've been learning to cook, actually.
7 I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name?
Tone Honest and polite
Use it when you remember the person but not their name. Ask early in the conversation, because it gets harder to ask after ten minutes of talking.
For example:
A: I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name?
B: No problem. It's Rosa.
A: Rosa, of course. Good to see you again.
8 You haven't changed a bit.
Tone Kind and complimentary
Say this as a friendly compliment to someone you haven't seen for years. Use it only when you mean it kindly. Don't use it if the person has clearly changed in a way they may not want to discuss.
For example:
A: You haven't changed a bit.
B: Thanks! Neither have you.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
How are you been?Better How have you been?
The question asks about the time from your last meeting until now, so it uses the present perfect: have + been. "Are" and "been" don't go together.
-
Not quite
Long time no see you!Better Long time no see!
This is a fixed expression. Native speakers don't add "you" or change the words, even though the grammar looks unusual.
-
Not quite
It's nice to meet you. (to an old friend)Better It's good to see you.
Use "meet" for the first time you meet someone. With a person you already know, use "see" or "see you again."
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
You meet a close friend after two years. Which greeting sounds most natural and casual?
- Long time no see!
- It's nice to meet you.
- Good morning, sir.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: Long time no see! "Long time no see!" is a casual greeting for friends you haven't seen lately.
-
Which line asks about someone's life since you last met?
- How are you doing today?
- How have you been?
- Look who it is!
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: How have you been? "How have you been?" covers the whole time since your last meeting.
-
You see a former coworker at a business event. Which line is warm but still polite?
- Look who it is!
- It's good to see you.
- Long time no see you!
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: It's good to see you. "It's good to see you" works with friends and coworkers in most situations.
-
What does "What have you been up to?" mean?
- Where are you going now?
- What have you been doing lately?
- Why are you late?
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: What have you been doing lately? "Up to" means "doing," so the question asks about recent activities.
-
Like Hana and Theo, you forgot an old friend's name. What is the best thing to say?
- Who are you?
- I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name?
- You haven't changed a bit.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name? This line is honest and polite, and it shows you remember the person.
Questions learners ask
Is "Long time no see" correct English?
Yes. The grammar is unusual, but it's a fixed expression that native speakers use every day. Keep the words exactly as they are and use it in casual situations with friends.
What is the difference between "How are you?" and "How have you been?"
"How are you?" asks about right now, and people often answer with a short "Fine, thanks." "How have you been?" asks about the time since you last met. Use it with someone you haven't seen for a while, and expect a longer answer.
How do I answer "How have you been?"
Give a short answer, then add one detail or ask back. For example, you can say "Great, thanks. I moved to a new apartment. How about you?" Theo's answer in the Short, "Great. Thanks.", is also fine when you want to keep it simple.
What should I say if I forget someone's name?
Say sorry and ask directly, for example "I'm so sorry, can you remind me of your name?" Most people understand, because it happens to everyone. When they tell you, use the name right away, as Hana does with "Good to see you, Theo."
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow.
