Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Communication
ご無沙汰しております。お変わりございませんでしょうか。 — It's been a long time since I've been in touch. I hope you've been well. (Cultural · Communication, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
ご無沙汰しております。お変わりございませんでしょうか。
ごぶさたしております。おかわりございませんでしょうか。
It's been a long time since I've been in touch. I hope you've been well.
Romaji: Gobusata shite orimasu. Okawari gozaimasen deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, gobusata shite orimasu. Okagesama de genki ni shite orimasu.
Reply
こちらこそ、ご無沙汰しております。おかげさまで元気にしております。
こちらこそ、ごぶさたしております。おかげさまでげんきにしております。
Likewise, it's been a while. Thanks to you, I've been well.
Gesture & etiquette
If in person, deeper bow than usual reunion (25°). Warm but measured tone — not effusive. Hands clasped lightly in front. Sincere eye contact at end of bow.
ご無沙汰 (literally 'lack of news') is the humble formal reunion phrase — implies you have been the one absent. More formal than お久しぶり (more peer-equal). Use after months/years of silence with mentors, former clients, distant relatives. Always pair with 'お変わりございませんでしょうか' (any changes? = I hope all is well).