largo
/ˈlaɾɡo/
largo is the Spanish word for long.
Which one should you use?
While largo refers to being long, you should use grande when you want to say something is 'big' in terms of size.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It changes to larga for feminine nouns, largos for masculine plural nouns and largas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaɾɡo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
However, largo specifically refers to linear length or duration.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, especially in the Caribbean, largo can be used colloquially to tell someone to 'get lost' or 'go away' through the imperative form of the verb largar.
- Historically, Spanish used the word luengo to mean 'long', which is a direct descendant of the Latin word 'longus'. Over time, largo displaced luengo in most regions.
- The Spanish word largo is a direct descendant of the Latin largus, which originally meant 'abundant' or 'generous'.
Examples in context
- El documental fue largo, pero muy interesanteThe documentary was long, but very interesting.
- El puente largoThe long bridge
- Bailó largamenteHe/she danced for a long time
- Este libro es más largo que el anteriorThis book is longer than the previous one
- Es el río más largo del paísIt is the longest river in the country
- El camino es muy largo.The path is very long.
- Tengo un viaje largo mañana.I have a long trip tomorrow.
- Ese es un nombre muy largo.That is a very long name.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing their travel plans.
- Elena¿Es un viaje largo?Is it a long trip?
- JavierSí, es un viaje muy largo.Yes, it is a very long trip.
- ElenaJavier, necesitas descansar mucho.Javier, you need to rest a lot.
- JavierLo sé, Elena.I know, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry largo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries largo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
