25 Other Ways to Say “Long time no see professionally” (With Examples)

Sometimes at work, it feels awkward when you haven’t seen a colleague in ages, so using the right phrase can make long time no see professionally feel natural and polite.

In the workplace, choosing the right vocabulary and alternatives can add warmth and depth to your communication while maintaining formality, respect, and a positive atmosphere that encourages continued collaboration.

What Does “long time no see professionally” Mean?

Definition: This phrase is a friendly acknowledgment that a significant amount of time has passed since you last interacted with someone in a work or professional setting.

Detailed Explanation: Using this phrase conveys recognition of the communication gap, shows you value the relationship, and opens the door to reconnect without being intrusive.

When to Use “long time no see professionally”

Use it when you want to reconnect with colleagues, clients, or professional contacts after a gap in communication. Ideal for emails, chat messages, or casual in-person greetings. Avoid overusing it in highly formal communications.

Is It Professional/Polite to say “long time no see professionally”?

Yes, when used appropriately. Pairing it with a polite opener and context makes it professional and respectful. Avoid using it with very formal superiors or in highly structured corporate documents.

Pros or Cons

Pros: Shows warmth, familiarity, and attentiveness; encourages reconnection.

Cons: Can appear casual if used in formal contexts; may feel repetitive if overused.

It’s been too long

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: This phrase conveys that a substantial amount of time has passed since your last meeting. It emphasizes the gap and expresses genuine interest in reconnecting.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been too long since we last spoke. I’d love to catch up and hear how your projects are going.”

Best Use: Colleagues, clients, or professional contacts you have a friendly rapport.

Worst Use: Formal communication with superiors who may prefer strictly professional phrasing.

Tone: Friendly, warm, professional, approachable.

Haven’t seen you in a minute

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: A casual and friendly way to acknowledge time passed. Implies warmth and familiarity.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hey [Name], haven’t seen you in a minute! Hope everything’s going well. Let’s schedule a quick catch-up.”

Best Use: Peers or team members in informal professional settings.

Worst Use: Formal clients or executives.

Tone: Casual, friendly, approachable.

I haven’t seen you in ages

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Expresses nostalgia and emphasizes a long gap since the last interaction, conveying genuine interest in reconnecting.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], I haven’t seen you in ages! How have things been on your end? Let’s reconnect soon.”

Best Use: Long-standing colleagues, mentors, or professional friends.

Worst Use: Strictly formal introductions or corporate reports.

Tone: Warm, slightly nostalgic, professional-casual.

How long’s it been?

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Invites reflection on the time passed, encouraging conversation and reconnection naturally.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], how long’s it been? I was thinking about our last meeting and would love to catch up.”

Best Use: Team members or peers; informal networking.

Worst Use: Highly formal business communication.

Tone: Curious, friendly, light-hearted, professional.

It’s been forever

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Dramatic way to express that a long time has passed; emphasizes eagerness to reconnect.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hey [Name], it’s been forever since we last caught up. How’s everything going with you?”

Best Use: Colleagues or contacts with whom you have a warm relationship.

Worst Use: Formal professional emails to new contacts.

Tone: Warm, enthusiastic, approachable, slightly casual.

Been missing you

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: This phrase conveys that you have noticed the absence and genuinely want to reconnect. It adds a personal, caring touch.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], been missing you at our meetings! Let’s find time to catch up soon.”

Best Use: Close colleagues or teammates with whom you have a warm rapport.
Worst Use: Formal executives or new professional contacts.
Tone: Warm, caring, friendly, professional-casual.

Feels like ages

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Expresses that the time apart felt long, emphasizing nostalgia and eagerness to reconnect.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], it feels like ages since we last collaborated. Let’s schedule a quick catch-up!”

Best Use: Team members, long-term colleagues.
Worst Use: Formal email threads or initial introductions.
Tone: Nostalgic, friendly, approachable.

Been a while

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: A neutral yet warm acknowledgment of the time passed, suitable for most professional contexts.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], been a while since our last chat. How’s everything going?”

Best Use: General colleagues, clients, or peers.
Worst Use: Extremely formal corporate communication.
Tone: Friendly, polite, professional.

It’s been ages

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Highlights a long time since the last interaction, showing enthusiasm to reconnect.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hey [Name], it’s been ages! Hope everything’s well on your end.”

Best Use: Colleagues or professional friends with whom you have a casual relationship.
Worst Use: Highly formal business emails.
Tone: Friendly, enthusiastic, professional-casual.

Long time, no see

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Classic phrase for acknowledging time passed; can be professional if framed with context.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], long time, no see! I wanted to check in on your latest projects.”

Best Use: Casual professional catch-ups.
Worst Use: Formal reports or communications with senior executives.
Tone: Friendly, neutral, approachable.

It’s been a bit

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Slightly casual way to indicate time has passed, adaptable to various professional scenarios.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], it’s been a bit since our last meeting. Let’s reconnect soon.”

Best Use: Team emails or chats with peers.
Worst Use: Formal corporate announcements.
Tone: Casual, polite, professional.

Has it really been that long?

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Invites reflection and conversation, showing you’re aware of time passed and value the connection.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], has it really been that long? I’d love to catch up and hear about your recent projects.”

Best Use: Peers or colleagues you know well.
Worst Use: Formal client emails.
Tone: Curious, friendly, conversational.

I’ve been thinking about you

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Adds a personal touch, indicating that the absence was noticed and that you value reconnecting.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], I’ve been thinking about you and wanted to see how your latest project is going.”

Best Use: Colleagues, mentors, or team members you have a warm rapport.
Worst Use: Formal introductions to new clients.
Tone: Personal, warm, professional-casual.

It’s been too long since we last spoke

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: A formal-friendly version of “it’s been too long,” suitable for emails and messages in professional contexts.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been too long since we last spoke. I’d love to hear updates on your current projects.”

Best Use: Clients, long-term colleagues, mentors.
Worst Use: Cold introductions or formal business letters.
Tone: Respectful, warm, professional.

We haven’t connected in a while

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Professional phrasing that indicates time passed and invites a reconnection without sounding casual.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], we haven’t connected in a while. Can we schedule a quick call to catch up?”

Best Use: Emails to clients, colleagues, or professional networks.
Worst Use: Informal chats with close peers (too formal).
Tone: Polite, professional, approachable.

It’s been far too long

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Emphasizes that the time apart feels significant, showing genuine interest in reconnecting.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been far too long since we last collaborated. Let’s set up a meeting soon.”

Best Use: Long-term colleagues, mentors, or professional partners.
Worst Use: Formal documents or announcements.
Tone: Warm, enthusiastic, professional.

It’s high time we caught up

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Encourages action, politely suggesting reconnection is overdue.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], it’s high time we caught up. Let’s schedule a coffee chat this week.”

Best Use: Professional peers or friendly clients.
Worst Use: Formal executive communications.
Tone: Friendly, proactive, professional.

I’ve missed our conversations

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Personal and reflective, highlighting that you value prior discussions and want to reconnect.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], I’ve missed our conversations and wanted to catch up on your latest work.”

Best Use: Colleagues or mentors.
Worst Use: Initial professional introductions.
Tone: Warm, personal, professional-casual.

Feels like we haven’t talked in forever

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Combines nostalgia and casual tone, ideal for peers and long-time collaborators.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], feels like we haven’t talked in forever. Let’s schedule a time to reconnect.”

Best Use: Team members or professional friends.
Worst Use: Formal corporate emails.
Tone: Nostalgic, friendly, professional-casual.

It’s been a long while

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Neutral, professional acknowledgment of a gap in communication.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been a long while since our last discussion. Can we reconnect soon?”

Best Use: Colleagues, professional contacts, clients.
Worst Use: Casual chat among close peers (sounds formal).
Tone: Polite, professional, approachable.

Time flies!

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Light and conversational way to acknowledge time passed, can open a casual reconnecting email.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hey [Name], time flies! It’s been a while since we last spoke. Let’s catch up soon.”

Best Use: Peers, colleagues, informal professional networks.
Worst Use: Formal or hierarchical communication.
Tone: Casual, friendly, upbeat.

It’s been some time

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Polite and professional, suitable for nearly all professional reconnections.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been some time since we last communicated. I hope things are going well!”

Best Use: Clients, colleagues, mentors.
Worst Use: Overly casual situations among close peers (may feel stiff).
Tone: Professional, polite, neutral.

Long time, indeed

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Slightly formal acknowledgment, works in both written and spoken professional contexts.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], long time, indeed! Let’s schedule a chat to catch up on projects.”

Best Use: Professional emails, LinkedIn messages, semi-formal contexts.
Worst Use: Highly casual chats.
Tone: Polite, professional, friendly.

It’s been quite a while

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Neutral, professional phrasing that acknowledges time passed while remaining approachable.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hi [Name], it’s been quite a while since we last spoke. Would you like to schedule a quick call?”

Best Use: Colleagues, clients, networking contacts.
Worst Use: Very casual chats with teammates (sounds formal).
Tone: Polite, professional, friendly.

We’re overdue for a catch-up

Full-Depth Meaning & Explanation: Politely indicates that reconnection is necessary, showing initiative and attentiveness.

Detailed Email Example:
“Hello [Name], we’re overdue for a catch-up. Let’s set a time this week to reconnect.”

Best Use: Colleagues, long-term professional contacts.
Worst Use: Formal documents or emails with new clients.
Tone: Friendly, proactive, professional.

Final Thoughts

Reconnecting with someone in a professional context can feel tricky, but using the right phrases makes a huge difference. Saying “long time no see professionally” or its alternatives helps express genuine interest, warmth, and respect, while maintaining the appropriate tone for your workplace. Choosing words carefully can make emails, messages, or conversations feel more personal and meaningful, showing that you value relationships and professional bonds.

It’s important to consider formality, the recipient’s position, and the context when selecting your phrasing. For instance, casual phrases like “haven’t seen you in a minute” work well with colleagues or peers, while “it’s been too long since we last spoke” fits better with clients or mentors. Alternating between expressions prevents your communication from feeling repetitive and ensures your messages resonate authentically.

Professional reconnection is not just about acknowledging time passed; it’s about reigniting collaboration, showing attentiveness, and fostering a positive workplace atmosphere. Integrating these phrases naturally into your vocabulary demonstrates thoughtfulness and encourages ongoing interaction. Whether via email, chat, or in-person meetings, thoughtful phrasing adds depth, warmth, and clarity to your communication.

By understanding nuances, maintaining professionalism, and showing genuine care, you can strengthen connections, build trust, and leave a lasting impression. Using these 25 alternatives strategically allows you to reconnect in a way that is considerate, empathetic, and professional—an essential skill for meaningful workplace relationships.

FAQs

What does “long time no see professionally” mean?

It’s a phrase acknowledging a significant gap since your last professional interaction. It shows respect and interest in reconnecting in a work context.

When should I use it?

Use it with colleagues, clients, or mentors after a period of inactivity. Avoid using it in very formal or cold introductions.

Is it professional?

Yes, when paired with a polite tone. Casual alternatives suit peers, while formal alternatives are better for clients and superiors.

Can it be used in emails?

Absolutely. Phrases like “it’s been too long since we last spoke” fit professional email communication.

What are casual alternatives?

“Haven’t seen you in a minute,” “been a while,” or “feels like ages” are casual, friendly options.

Can I use it with my boss?

Yes, but choose a formal alternative to maintain respect, e.g., “it’s been too long since our last discussion.”

How can I make it sound warm?

Add personal context, reflect on past conversations, or use nostalgic language to make your message feel genuine.

What’s the best medium for using it?

Emails, professional chats, and LinkedIn messages work well. Avoid overusing it in formal reports.

Are there phrases for clients?

Yes, “we haven’t connected in a while” or “it’s been far too long” are professional and polite.

Can it be overused?

Yes. Overuse can seem insincere. Rotate phrases to maintain authenticity.

Does tone matter?

Absolutely. Friendly, respectful, and professional tones ensure your message is well-received.

Can I use it in team meetings?

Yes. A brief, casual remark works well to acknowledge the gap and encourage reconnection.

How do I start the conversation?

Open with context, such as a project update or shared experience, then use the phrase naturally.

Are emojis appropriate?

In casual internal chats, emojis can enhance warmth, but avoid them in formal emails.

Why is it important to use alternatives?

Using alternatives prevents repetition, adds personalization, and demonstrates thoughtfulness in professional communication.