Signification
A polite greeting used when meeting someone after a long time.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Aisatsu' (greetings) is a pillar of Japanese society. 'Ohisashiburi' is not just a greeting but a way to acknowledge the 'debt' of time and maintain social harmony. In Japanese business, if you haven't contacted someone for a long time, you are expected to apologize for the silence using 'Gobusata shite orimasu.' On platforms like LINE, 'Ohisashiburi' is often used with cute stickers to soften the fact that you haven't messaged in a while. When visiting someone after a long time, it is common to bring a small gift (temiyage) and say 'Ohisashiburi desu' as you present it.
The 3-Week Rule
If you haven't seen someone for 3 weeks, it's usually safe to use 'Ohisashiburi.'
Don't over-polite friends
Using 'Ohisashiburi desu' with a best friend can make you sound like you're mad at them or being sarcastic.
Signification
A polite greeting used when meeting someone after a long time.
The 3-Week Rule
If you haven't seen someone for 3 weeks, it's usually safe to use 'Ohisashiburi.'
Don't over-polite friends
Using 'Ohisashiburi desu' with a best friend can make you sound like you're mad at them or being sarcastic.
The 'Ne' factor
Add 'ne' at the end to sound more friendly and empathetic: 'Ohisashiburi desu ne!'
Follow up immediately
Always follow the greeting with a question about their health to be truly polite.
Teste-toi
Choose the most appropriate greeting for meeting your former boss after one year.
（元の上司に会った時）: ___________。
The polite form 'Ohisashiburi desu' is necessary for a former boss to show respect.
Fill in the blank to make the sentence mean 'I ate sushi for the first time in a long time.'
{久しぶり|ひさしぶり}（ ）{寿司|すし}を{食|た}べました。
The particle 'ni' is used with 'hisashiburi' to create an adverbial phrase meaning 'after a long time.'
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. 久しぶり！ 2. ご無沙汰しております。 3. お久しぶりです。
Register awareness is key: casual for friends, polite for teachers, very formal for clients.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 田中さん、お久しぶりです！ B: あ、佐藤さん！___________。お元気でしたか？
When someone says 'Ohisashiburi desu' to you, the standard response is to say it back.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use which?
Usage Contexts
Social
- • Reunions
- • Parties
- • Running into friends
Work
- • Returning clients
- • Former bosses
- • Emails
Banque d exercices
4 exercices（元の上司に会った時）: ___________。
The polite form 'Ohisashiburi desu' is necessary for a former boss to show respect.
{久しぶり|ひさしぶり}（ ）{寿司|すし}を{食|た}べました。
The particle 'ni' is used with 'hisashiburi' to create an adverbial phrase meaning 'after a long time.'
1. 久しぶり！ 2. ご無沙汰しております。 3. お久しぶりです。
Register awareness is key: casual for friends, polite for teachers, very formal for clients.
A: 田中さん、お久しぶりです！ B: あ、佐藤さん！___________。お元気でしたか？
When someone says 'Ohisashiburi desu' to you, the standard response is to say it back.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, it is the standard way to start an email to someone you haven't contacted in a while.
Usually anything from 2-3 weeks to several years.
'Hisashiburi' is a friendly greeting; 'Gobusata' is a formal apology for the lack of contact.
No, it implies you have met before. Use 'Hajimemashite' for strangers.
Only if you add 'desu' at the end. Just 'Hisashiburi' is too casual.
Simply say 'Ohisashiburi desu' back, often followed by 'O-genki desu ka?'
Yes, you can say 'Hisashiburi ni [Place] ni kimashita' (I came to [Place] for the first time in a while).
It is very casual slang used mostly by young people or in very informal texts.
Yes, 'Ohisashiburi deshita,' but it's rarely used as a greeting.
It is an honorific prefix that makes the word more polite and respectful.
No, that would be confusing. Use 'Konnichiwa' instead.
Yes, very frequently for returning clients or partners.
You can still use 'Ohisashiburi desu,' but you might add 'Zuibun' (very) to emphasize the time.
It is gender-neutral.
Expressions liées
{久しぶり|ひさしぶり}に
specialized formFor the first time in a long time
{ご無沙汰|ごぶさた}しております
similarI have been neglectful in contacting you
{再会|さいかい}する
builds onTo reunite
{相変わらず|あいかわらず}
similarAs usual / same as ever
{初|はじ}めまして
contrastNice to meet you (for the first time)
また{会|あ}いましたね
similarWe meet again, don't we?
