Signification
Commenting on a long absence.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often a precursor to 'fika'. In Swedish culture, acknowledging the time gap is a polite way to suggest catching up over coffee. In Finland-Swedish, the phrase is used similarly, but the intonation might be flatter, reflecting the local dialectal influence. While Americans might say 'I haven't seen you in forever!', Swedes prefer the more literal 'It was a long time since', which feels more grounded and less hyperbolic. In Swedish business, this phrase is used to soften the start of a meeting with an old contact, adhering to the value of 'mjuka upp' (softening up) the atmosphere.
Use 'sen' for friends
Always use 'sen' instead of 'sedan' when talking to friends to sound more natural.
Don't use 'är'
Even though you might want to say 'It IS a long time', always use 'var' in Swedish.
Signification
Commenting on a long absence.
Use 'sen' for friends
Always use 'sen' instead of 'sedan' when talking to friends to sound more natural.
Don't use 'är'
Even though you might want to say 'It IS a long time', always use 'var' in Swedish.
The 'Sist' trick
Add 'sist' at the end ('Det var länge sedan sist') to sound like a native speaker.
The Swedish Nod
Often accompanied by a slight nod and a smile. Swedes value the sincerity of this greeting.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the greeting.
Hej! Det ___ länge sedan!
We use the past tense 'var' to refer to the time that has passed since we last met.
Which of these is the most common spoken version?
How would a Swede usually say this to a friend?
In speech, 'sedan' is almost always shortened to 'sen'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You see your cousin for the first time in three years.
This is the standard greeting for a reunion after a long time.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hej Anna! Det var länge sedan! B: Ja, verkligen! ________?
After acknowledging the time apart, it's natural to ask how the person is doing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHej! Det ___ länge sedan!
We use the past tense 'var' to refer to the time that has passed since we last met.
How would a Swede usually say this to a friend?
In speech, 'sedan' is almost always shortened to 'sen'.
You see your cousin for the first time in three years.
This is the standard greeting for a reunion after a long time.
A: Hej Anna! Det var länge sedan! B: Ja, verkligen! ________?
After acknowledging the time apart, it's natural to ask how the person is doing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYou can, but it's much less common. 'Det var länge sedan' is the standard idiomatic way to express this.
When written informally, it's often combined into one word 'Längesen!', but the standard form is 'Länge sedan'.
Usually at least a month or two. If you saw them last week, it sounds sarcastic.
'Sedan' is formal/written; 'sen' is informal/spoken. They mean the exact same thing.
Yes, if you have met them before and a long time has passed, it is very polite.
Mostly, but it can also mean 'It's been a long time since [event]'.
Swedish prefers the simple past (preterite) for this specific social formula.
Yes, 'Det var länge sedan vi hördes' (It's been a long time since we heard from each other) is a great email opener.
Use 'Det var ett tag sedan' or just 'Hej igen!' (Hi again!).
Yes, it is a universal Swedish expression.
Yes, that is a more specific and very common version.
Usually with 'Ja, verkligen!' (Yes, indeed!) followed by how you are.
Expressions liées
Det var länge sen sist
similarIt's been a long time since last time.
Det var ett tag sedan
similarIt was a while ago.
Det var inte igår
similarIt wasn't yesterday.
Länge leve...
contrastLong live...
För länge sedan
specialized formA long time ago.
