In this workshop you practice a short, warm exchange with a friend who lives far away. You will learn how to suggest a video call, say that you miss seeing someone, and ask when your friend is free. Each native line comes from a recording, and you will hear the exact wording before you try it yourself. You can play both roles: the friend who starts the conversation and the friend who answers. The goal is not perfect grammar but comfortable, friendly speaking. Read each explanation, listen to the recording, then say the line out loud. Repeat until the rhythm feels natural. After the guided practice, you will choose the correct reply and finally recall the whole exchange from memory.
Starting the Conversation and Sharing Your Feelings
A long-distance friendship often begins with a simple greeting. In the recordings, one friend opens with a warm hello and asks how the other person is doing: «ひさしぶり！元気ですか。». This means "Long time no see! How are you?" The reply is short and kind: «元気です。会えなくてさみしいです。». Here the friend says they are fine and then adds that they feel lonely because they cannot meet. Notice that the feeling comes after the good news, which keeps the tone gentle. If you want to express the same feeling on its own, you can use «会いたいです。». This literally means "I want to see you. / I miss you." but between friends who live far apart it works like "I miss you." You can also use the fuller, softer line «会えなくてさみしいです。», which means "I'm lonely because we can't meet." Say each line slowly first, then at a natural speed. Pay attention to the long final ii vowel in the word for "lonely" and keep the ending polite but friendly.
Suggesting a Call and Asking About Timing
After sharing feelings, it is natural to suggest doing something together. The recording «ビデオ通話しましょう。» means "Let's video chat." The ending used here is a friendly way to say "let's do" something, and it works well in messages and calls with friends. Once you have suggested the call, you need to find a time. The question «いつがいいですか。» means "When is good for you?" It is neutral and polite, so it fits many situations. With a very close friend you can make it shorter and more casual, and the recording gives you a polite version to rehearse. In the dialogue, the suggestion and the question come together in one turn: «私も。ビデオ通話しましょう。いつがいいですか。». This line means "Me too. Let's video chat. When is good for you?" The first word shows agreement with the friend's lonely feeling, then moves quickly to a plan. Finally, the other friend offers a specific time with «土曜日の夜はどうですか。», which means "How about Saturday night?" This is a simple way to propose a day and time without being too direct. Practice saying the suggestion, the question, and the time offer as one smooth mini-conversation.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ビデオ通話しましょう。
Let's video chat.
bideo tsūwa shimashō
会いたいです。
I want to see you. / I miss you.
aitai desu
会えなくてさみしいです。
I'm lonely because we can't meet.
aenakute samishii desu
いつがいいですか。
When is good for you?
itsu ga ii desu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
ひさしぶり！元気ですか。
Long time no see! How are you?元気です。会えなくてさみしいです。
I'm fine. I'm lonely because we can't meet.私も。ビデオ通話しましょう。いつがいいですか。
Me too. Let's video chat. When is good for you?土曜日の夜はどうですか。
How about Saturday night?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Suggest and Ask
Imagine your close friend lives in another city and you have not seen each other for a long time. You are the one who starts the call suggestion. Use the recordings to guide your speaking.
Your task: First, greet your friend and ask how they are doing with «ひさしぶり！元気ですか。». Then suggest a video call using «ビデオ通話しましょう。». After that, ask when they are free with «いつがいいですか。». Say all three lines out loud in order without stopping. If you need help, listen to each recording again before you speak.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
Read the situation and choose the best recorded line for each blank. This checks whether you understand what each line does in the conversation.
Your task: Situation 1: Your friend says «ひさしぶり！元気ですか。». You are fine, but you feel lonely because you cannot meet. Which recorded line fits best: «元気です。会えなくてさみしいです。» or «土曜日の夜はどうですか。»? Situation 2: You have just suggested a video call and want to know your friend's free time. Which recorded line fits best: «いつがいいですか。» or «会いたいです。»? Situation 3: Your friend asks when is good for you, and you want to suggest Saturday night. Which recorded line fits best: «土曜日の夜はどうですか。» or «ビデオ通話しましょう。»? Say your chosen lines out loud.
Recall the Exchange with Correct Roles
Now try the whole conversation from memory. You will play both roles, one after the other. Do not look at the recordings until you finish each role.
Your task: Alternate turns as in the recording: A greets, B says they are fine and lonely, A suggests a video call and asks when is good, then B proposes Saturday night. Cover the lines and recall this A-B-A-B sequence.
Common questions
Can I use these lines with someone I do not know well?
The recorded lines are friendly and polite, so they work in many situations. The suggestion to video chat and the question about free time are neutral enough for acquaintances. The line about feeling lonely is warmer and fits close friends best. If you are not close, you can still use the greeting and the timing question, and keep the feeling line for people you know well.
What should I do if I cannot say a line smoothly at first?
Slow down and break the line into smaller parts. Listen to the recording once, then repeat only the first few sounds. Add the next part when the first part feels easy. It also helps to say the line while imagining the situation, such as picturing your friend's face on a video call. Short, repeated practice is better than one long session, so try each line a few times and come back to it later.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: maintain long distance friendshipChecked September 2026
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