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ご無沙汰しております。

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

formal, polite

How it works

This phrase is a polite and humble way to apologize for a long period of not contacting or interacting with someone. It literally combines the honorific prefix ご (go-), the noun 無沙汰 (busata, 'negligence in communication'), the verb しております (shite orimasu), which is the humble form of しています (shite imasu, 'doing/being'). It implies an apology for the lack of contact.

Sample sentences

ご無沙汰しております。お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

It's been a long time. I hope you are doing well.

大変ご無沙汰しておりますが、以前お世話になりました〇〇です。

It's been a very long time, but this is [my name] who you helped before.

メールでのご連絡がご無沙汰しておりますことをお詫び申し上げます。

I apologize for the long silence in my emails.

Quick facts

politeness:Highly polite and humble (謙譲語 - kenjōgo). Used when speaking to superiors, clients, or anyone to whom one wishes to show respect. The おり- form is a humble auxiliary verb.

usageContext:Appropriate for formal reunions, emails after a long silence, or re-establishing contact with someone you haven't seen or spoken to in a significant amount of time.

Often used with

ご無沙汰しておりますが、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。

長い間ご無沙汰しております。

大変ご無沙汰しております。

お久しぶりです

Mnemonic

Get an AI-generated memory hook for ご無沙汰しております。 — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

Example

ご無沙汰しております。お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

It's been a long time. I hope you are doing well.

大変ご無沙汰しておりますが、以前お世話になりました〇〇です。

It's been a very long time, but this is [my name] who you helped before.