長い
nagai[na̠ɡa̠i]
The English word "long" is translated into Japanese as 長い (nagai).
長い is a common adjective used to describe length or duration. It is applicable to both physical objects and time.
Meaning: having much distance from one point to another (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 長い refers to length or duration, it is distinct from 遠い, which refers to physical distance or remoteness.
How does it change in a sentence?
長い has several forms. The negative form is 長くない (is not long), and the past tense is 長かった (was long). To modify a verb, use the adverbial form 長く, such as in 長く待つ (to wait for a long time).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is nagai.
Did you know?
- Japanese uses the word 長い to describe 'long' hair, but for a 'long' person (tall), they must use 背が高い, which literally means 'back is high'.
- The word 長い may be a distant relative of the Japanese verbs for 'to flow' 流れる and 流す. This suggests the ancient concept of length was linked to the way water extends across the land.
- While 長い describes the length of time, Japanese has a separate word 久しい for a 'long time' specifically when referring to the duration since someone last did something.
Examples in context
- 人生は長い。Life is long.This sentence is useful for stating that life is long using 長い.Tatoeba #11254957 by sh5555, translation #10225967 by ddnktr
- 彼は足が長い。He has long legs.This sentence is useful for saying someone has long legs using 長い.Tatoeba #102691 by bunbuku, translation #287067 by CK
- 象は鼻が長い。An elephant has a long nose.This sentence is useful for describing an elephant with a long nose using 長い.Tatoeba #146304 by tommy_san, translation #268258 by CK
- 231 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are waiting at a bus stop in the rain.
- 陽葵 Himari待ち時間が長いですね。Machijikan ga nagai desu ne.The waiting time is long, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yota本当ですね。疲れました。Hontou desu ne. Tsukaremashita.It really is. I'm tired.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんは大丈夫ですか？Hinata-san wa daijoubu desu ka?Are you okay, Hinata?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、大丈夫ですよ。Hai, daijoubu desu yo.Yes, I am fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long” translations and entries 長い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 長い, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
