長ちょう

noun

head; chief; leader; elder

Denotes the person at the top of a group, organization, household, or rank. Common in compounds and titles, and also used in phrases such as 組織の長.

• 各かく部ぶ署しょの長ちょうが会かい議ぎに出しゅっ席せきした。

  The heads of each department attended the meeting.

noun

merit; strong point; advantage

Often used in contrast with 短, especially in expressions like 長と短 or 長短. As a standalone everyday word, 長所 is usually more natural.

See also: 短

• 両りょう案あんにはそれぞれ長ちょうと短たんがある。

  Both proposals have their respective strengths and weaknesses.

noun

superiority; being ahead

Limited use for superiority or advantage, especially in the fixed expression 一日の長がある, meaning to have an edge through greater experience or skill.

• 経けい験けんの差さで、彼かれには一いち日にちの長ちょうがある。

  Because of the difference in experience, he has an edge.

noun

major

Music term used in contrast with 短 for major versus minor keys. It is normally seen in compounds such as 長調 and ハ長調 rather than as a free standalone noun.

See also: 短

• この曲きょくはハ長ちょう調ちょうで書かかれている。

  This piece is written in C major.