Japanese word

長い

Pronunciation

Romajinagai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivelong

Example

このえんぴつは長いです。ko no e n pi tsu wa naga i de su

This pencil is long.

Illustration for 長い (long)

More examples

このひもは長いです。ko no hi mo wa naga i de su

This string is long.

冬の夜は長く感じます。fuyu no yoru wa naga ku kan ji ma su

Winter nights feel long.

Core concept

Describes something that extends far through space or continues for a considerable time.

Common phrases

  • 長い時間naga i ji kan

    a long time

  • 長い髪naga i kami

    long hair

  • 長い道のりnaga i michi no ri

    a long journey

Similar words

長ったらしいnagattarashii: Continuing for too long in a way that feels tedious.

Definition in Japanese

物の端から端までの距離や、ある状態が続く時間が大きい。mono no hashi ka ra hashi ma de no kyo ri ya a ru jō tai ga tsuzu ku ji kan ga ō ki i

Word origin

長い (nagai) is a native Japanese adjective that developed from the older form ながし (nagashi), with the modern adjective ending い (i).

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 長い (nagai) can describe a person's speech or explanation when it takes more time than expected, without saying that the content is bad.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word