Portuguese · Real conversations
How to respond to “Quanto tempo!” in Portuguese
A reunion gives you a chance to acknowledge the gap and reconnect without explaining your entire absence.
What you might hear
Quanto tempo!
Long time no see!
Choose a reply that fits
É verdade, faz bastante tempo.
It really has been a while.
Acknowledge that time has passed.
Que bom ver você.
It's great to see you.
Show that you are happy to reconnect.
Tenho andado bem ocupado / ocupada.
I've been quite busy.
Give a short explanation if you want to.
Vamos colocar o papo em dia em breve.
Let's catch up soon.
Suggest a later conversation when you cannot stay.
Two short exchanges
An unexpected reunion
Quanto tempo!
Long time no see!
É verdade, faz bastante tempo.
It really has been a while.
Seeing an old acquaintance
Faz tempo!
It's been a while!
Que bom ver você.
It's great to see you.
Your turn
Give a brief update about why you have not been around.
Reveal a sample reply
Tenho andado bem ocupado / ocupada.
I've been quite busy.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking Portuguese
These guides use Brazilian Portuguese. Você is a common everyday address; senhor or senhora may fit a more formal interaction. Eu gostaria and poderia can soften requests without making them complicated.
Keep the accents and nasal spellings, such as não and conexão. Portuguese in Portugal may use different everyday vocabulary or pronouns. The examples aim for broadly understandable Brazilian wording.
