久违 jiǔwéi for a long time
(haven't done something) for a long time; a long time since we last met
How to remember 久违: 久 long time + 违 to violate = for a long time.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Long time no see' as a greeting to someone unseen for ages - 久违了 (jiǔwéi le) it's been a long time.
- Also modifies things you haven't experienced in a while: 久违的阳光 (jiǔwéi de yángguāng) the sunshine we hadn't seen in ages.
- More literary/warm than the casual 好久不见 (hǎojiǔ bújiàn); note 违 here means 'be apart', not 'violate'.