Translation guide
Describes something that lasts for a long time or is excessively long, often with a negative connotation. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you're talking about time, physical length, or abstract things like speeches and documents.
To describe an event, process, or period that continues for a long time, often implying it is tiresome or excessive.
The most common and versatile word for 'long' in terms of time. Can be used neutrally or with a negative nuance depending on context.
長い会議だった。
It was a lengthy meeting.
長い間お待たせしました。
I kept you waiting for a lengthy time.
Specifically means 'a long period of time' or 'for many hours'. Often used as a noun or adverb.
長時間のフライトで疲れた。
I'm tired from the lengthy flight.
Refers to a 'long term' or 'extended period', often used in formal or business contexts.
長期にわたる調査が必要だ。
A lengthy investigation is necessary.
To emphasize that something is not just long, but boring, drawn-out, or tiresome because of its length.
An adjective meaning 'long-winded' or 'drawn-out', carrying a strong negative feeling. Very colloquial.
彼のスピーチは長ったらしくて退屈だった。
His speech was lengthy and boring.
Means 'verbose', 'repetitive', or 'long-winded'. Used for speech or writing that goes on too long and is annoying.
A formal term meaning 'redundant' or 'verbose', often used in writing or official contexts.
To describe something that has great physical length, like a road, a piece of writing, or an object.
English 'lengthy' often implies a negative judgment. In Japanese, simply using 長い (nagai) may not carry that nuance. To express annoyance, add words like 長ったらしい (nagattarashii) or use phrases like 長すぎる (nagasugiru, 'too long').
長い (nagai) is a general adjective for 'long'. 長時間 (choujikan) is a noun meaning 'long time' and is often used as an adverb with の or に. 長期 (chouki) is a noun meaning 'long term' and is used in formal contexts like business or academia.
The explanation is lengthy and repetitive.
この報告書は冗長だ。
This report is lengthy and redundant.
長大な小説を読み終えた。
I finished reading a lengthy novel.