дли́нный
dlínnyj
The English word "long" is translated into Russian as дли́нный (dlínnyj).
дли́нный is used to describe the physical length or distance of an object. For other contexts, different words are more appropriate: use Продолжительный to describe long movies, plays or events. Use Обширный for an extensive piece of writing or a vast geographical area. And use Тяжелый to describe a long and physically demanding task.
Meaning: having much distance from one point to another (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use дли́нный specifically to describe the physical length of an object. In contrast, if you are referring to long durations of time, use до́лгий or дли́тельный.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing plural nouns, the adjective дли́нный changes its ending to дли́нные.
How do you pronounce it?
dlínnyj
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using дли́нный to mean "a long time," as this only refers to physical dimensions. Instead, use the adverb до́лго to talk about time.
Did you know?
- If a task is 'long' in the sense of being exhausting or arduous, a Russian speaker might use тяже́лый, which literally means 'heavy'.
- While дли́нный describes physical length, Russian has a separate word до́лгий for time. However, if a person describes a wait as дли́нный, they are likely implying the physical line of people was long, not just the time spent waiting.
- The word до́лгий is often reserved for more poetic or grand contexts, such as a 'long' and storied history.
Examples in context
- Этот мост – длинный и впечатляющий.This bridge is long and impressive.
- У этой реки очень протяженный берег.This river has a very long bank.
- Наши встречи всегда долгие и интересные.Our meetings are always long and interesting.
- Я ходил в бассейн, и дорога туда была длиннющая!I went to the swimming pool, and the way there was so long!
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Andrey are looking at a map.
- Екатерина EkaterinaПосмотри, какой дли́нный мост!Posmotri, kakoy dlinnyy most!Look, what a long bridge!
- Андрей AndreyДа, он очень большой.Da, on ochen' bol'shoy.Yes, it is very big.
- Екатерина EkaterinaНам придётся долго ехать.Nam pridyotsya dolgo yekhat'.We will have to drive for a long time.
- Андрей AndreyЯ готов к этой поездке.Ya gotov k etoy poyezdke.I am ready for this trip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “long” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
