Translation guide
Expresses that something continues for a longer time than expected or planned. In Japanese, this is often conveyed through verbs meaning 'to be extended' or 'to drag on', with the choice depending on whether the extension is intentional or undesirable.
The duration of an event, state, or period is made longer, often by arrangement or natural consequence.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be extended' or 'to be prolonged'. Used when something becomes longer in time or length without specifying an agent. Common for deadlines, meetings, or lifespans.
The meeting was prolonged by 30 minutes.
Lifespan is prolonged.
Passive form of 'to extend', meaning 'to be prolonged' in a formal or official sense. Often used for contracts, deadlines, or events that are officially extended.
The contract was prolonged.
Something continues for an annoyingly long time, often causing frustration or impatience.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to drag on' or 'to be prolonged' with a negative connotation. Used for meetings, illnesses, wars, etc., that last longer than expected and are unwelcome.
The meeting is dragging on.
Phrase meaning 'to continue sluggishly' or 'to drag on tediously'. Emphasizes the lack of energy or purpose in the prolonged state.
I'm fed up with meetings that drag on and on.
Something becomes longer in physical length or duration, often as a result of an action.
Passive form of 'to stretch/lengthen', meaning 'to be prolonged' or 'to be stretched'. Can refer to both physical length and time, but often implies an agent doing the lengthening.
The vacation was prolonged by a week.
延びる is neutral and often planned; 長引く is negative and unplanned. Use 延びる for a scheduled extension (e.g., a deadline moved to a later date) and 長引く when something is taking too long and causing trouble.
The submission deadline was extended.
The discussion dragged on and I missed the last train.
The illness is prolonged.