Translation guide
How to express 'staying for a long time' in Japanese, covering duration, lingering, and extended visits.
Expressing that someone remains in a place for an extended period of time.
A natural, general way to say 'stay long' using the adverb 長く (for a long time) with the verb いる (to be/stay).
He always stays long.
I can't stay long today.
Specifically means 'to stay too long' or 'to overstay one's welcome'. Often used when apologizing for staying long or when someone lingers.
Sorry for staying so long.
You shouldn't stay too long.
A more formal way to say 'stay long', often used for stays at hotels, in cities, or for extended visits.
He stayed in Japan for a long time.
A literary or old-fashioned term for a long stay, often implying an extended sojourn.
He stayed long in the countryside.
Describing when someone stays longer than expected or delays departure.
Means to dawdle or linger, often with a nuance of reluctance to leave or being slow to act.
Don't linger; let's go quickly.
To stay on and refuse to leave, often with a negative connotation of overstaying.
He stayed until closing time, refusing to leave.
Literally 'to be there forever', used to criticize someone who stays too long.
Don't stay forever; please go home.
Referring to staying somewhere for a night or longer, such as at a friend's house or a hotel.
The standard verb for 'to stay overnight'. Can be used for hotels, friends' houses, etc.
Can I stay over at your place?
I'll stay one night at a hotel.
A formal term for 'to stay' (for a period of time), used for trips, business, etc.
I plan to stay for a week.
The English phrase 'stay long' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 長く (long) with a verb like いる or 滞在する is the most natural approach. Avoid trying to translate 'stay' and 'long' separately.
長くいる is neutral and simply means 'to be/stay for a long time'. 長居する carries a nuance of overstaying or lingering too long, often used in apologies or warnings.
Is it okay if I stay long?
Sorry for staying too long.