길다
gilda[ˈki(ː)ɭda̠]
The English word "long" is translated into Korean as 길다 (gilda).
길다 is an adjective used to describe something that has much distance from one point to another. You can combine it with other words, such as in the phrase 넓고 길다, which means "wide and long".
Meaning: having much distance from one point to another (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 길다 describes physical length, you should use the adverb 오래 when describing a long duration of time. To describe the separation between two points over a great distance, use the adverb 멀리, whereas 길게 is used to describe the physical extent of an object.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 길다 changes to 길어요 when used in polite, everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
gilda
Did you know?
- While 길다 describes length, the Korean word for 'road' or 'street' is 길, which is spelled exactly like the root of the word for 'long'.
- The phrase 말이 길다 literally means 'the words are long' but is used to criticize someone for being verbose or rambling.
- The root of 길다 appears in ancient Korean place names from the first millennium, suggesting the word has remained stable for over a thousand years.
Examples in context
- 그 탁자는 길다.The table is long.This sentence is useful for describing the length of a table using 길다.Tatoeba #13118559 by romzzo, translation #8767099 by cheeseisdisgusting
- 그녀의 머리카락은 길다.Her hair is long.This sentence is useful for describing the length of hair using 길다.Tatoeba #4965768 by rainbow4us, translation #309627 by CK
- 이 영화는 길다.This movie is long.
- 이 프로젝트를 마치는 데에는 시간이 오래 걸렸다.It took a long time to complete this project.
- 우리 대화가 길어지고 있어서 기뻐.I'm happy that our conversation is getting long.
- 그녀는 머리가 꽤 길어요.Her hair is quite long.
- 이 거리는 정말 길다.i geori-neun jeongmal gil-da.This street is really long.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are walking in a park.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈아, 이 산책로가 참 길다.Ji-hoon-a, i sanchaek-ro-ga cham gil-da.Ji-hoon, this walking trail is quite long.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아, 정말 길어서 힘들다.maja, jeongmal gil-eoseo him-deul-da.True, it is so long that it is tiring.
- 지은 Ji-eun조금만 더 가면 도착해.jogeumman deo gamyeon dochak-hae.If we go just a little further, we will arrive.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 힘내자!geurae, him-nae-ja!Okay, let's hang in there!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long” translations and entries 길다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 길다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
