好久没联系了。

You usually place this right after a greeting like 喂 (Wei) or 嗨 (Hi). It acts as a bridge. It softens the transition into asking how the person is doing. You can use it in person, over a phone call, or in a WeChat message. It is incredibly versatile because it is not too heavy or too light. It is just right for most social gaps.

Use it when you see an old classmate at a coffee shop. Use it when you finally reply to a friend's text from three weeks ago. It is perfect for professional contacts you haven't emailed in a few months. Use it when you want to show you care about the relationship. It works best when the gap is anywhere from a few weeks to several years.

Do not use this if you just saw the person yesterday. That would be very confusing! Also, avoid it if you are genuinely angry at someone for ghosting you. This phrase is friendly and nostalgic. If you use it with a hint of sarcasm, it might come off as passive-aggressive. Keep the tone light and sincere to avoid any misunderstandings.

Chinese culture places a high value on 'Guanxi' or social connections. Maintaining these connections requires 'watering' the relationship. Saying 好久没联系了 is like checking the health of that bond. It acknowledges the shared history. It is a polite way to signal that you still value the person despite your busy life. It is often followed by an invitation to eat, as food is the ultimate social glue in China.

You might hear 好久不见 (Long time no see) which is more for face-to-face meetings. 最近怎么样？ (How have you been lately?) often follows right after. If you want to be more casual, you can just say 很久没见了. If you are feeling a bit guilty about the silence, you can add 抱歉 (Baoqian) at the beginning. This adds a nice touch of sincerity to your message.