Hej, det var længe siden! Hvordan går det?

to go

Breakdown of Hej, det var længe siden! Hvordan går det?

• det: it
• hvordan: how
• hej: hello

Questions & Answers about Hej, det var længe siden! Hvordan går det?

What does det mean in these two sentences?

In both cases, det is basically it, but it is not referring to one specific thing.

• In Det var længe siden, det is a dummy subject: It had been a long time.
• In Hvordan går det?, det means something like it / things / everything: How is it going?

So a very literal translation sounds a bit odd in English, but the Danish is completely natural.

Why is it det var længe siden with the past tense var?

Danish often uses var here when you meet someone again after a long time. The idea is roughly:

• It has been a long time
• or Wow, it’s been ages

Even though English often uses the present perfect, Danish can naturally use the simple past in this kind of reaction. It sounds very idiomatic.

What does længe siden mean exactly?

Længe siden means a long time ago or a long time since.

In Det var længe siden!, the full idea is something like:

• It’s been a long time since we last saw each other
• It’s been ages

The part since we last met / talked is understood and does not need to be said.