Demystifying How To Translate ‘Lengthy’ in Spanish


If you wish to say “lengthy” in Spanish to discuss with a bodily size or a size of time, you’ll want the phrase largo to explain masculine nouns or larga for female ones. Nonetheless, relying on what you’re speaking about—size, distance, or period—chances are you’ll want to make use of a unique phrase solely.

Some fundamental Spanish phrases typically don’t have a one-to-one translation, however they’re much simpler to be taught in context. Use this information to discover ways to say “lengthy” in Spanish and lots of different related phrases. 

How one can say ‘lengthy’ in several contexts

Chances are you’ll need to focus on size, period, distance, or ask how lengthy one thing will take. In English, the phrase “lengthy” will typically suffice, however the Spanish equivalents will fluctuate relying on the context.

Some learners incorrectly use the phrase largo after they imply “giant.” Discover ways to say “lengthy” in Spanish in real-life contexts and also you’ll by no means get largo confused with grande (huge/giant) once more.

largo/larga (lengthy) 

This most direct translation of “lengthy” is used for describing an merchandise’s size. Largo follows guidelines for different adjectives in Spanish, so it’s going to change in response to the grammatical gender and variety of the noun. 

You possibly can typically inform this details about Spanish nouns by having a look on the articles in Spanish, which is info that proves important for following Spanish gender guidelines

SpanishGrammatical Gender/QuantityEnglish
El libro es largo.masculine/singularThe guide is lengthy. 
La calle es larga. female/singularThe highway is lengthy. 
Los caminos son largos.masculine/pluralThe paths are lengthy.
Las novelas son largas.female/pluralThe novels are lengthy. 

Pelo/cabello largo (lengthy hair) 

One widespread use of largo is to explain hair size. Whether or not you’re requesting a particular peinado (hairdo) on the salon or describing a buddy with lengthy hair, pelo largo or cabello largo means “lengthy hair” in Spanish. 

One thing crucial in Spanish is that the adjective all the time matches the noun it’s describing. Even in case you’re describing a lady with lengthy hair, the noun being described is both pelo or cabello (hair), that are masculine nouns, so that you gained’t say larga

  • El hombre tiene pelo largo. = The person has lengthy hair
  • La mujer tiene pelo largo. = The lady has lengthy hair

To explain quick hair, you’ll must be taught to say “quick” in Spanish. Bear in mind to say corto (quick in size), not bajo (quick in stature). 

de largo (in size) 

In English, you possibly can describe size or distance with a measurement adopted by the phrase “lengthy,” as in “three ft lengthy.” In Spanish, you’ll need so as to add de largo on the finish of the measurement. This can turn out to be useful if you’re purchasing or furnishing an house. You also needs to know de ancho (large) and de alto (tall) for all three dimensions.

  • Buscamos una mesa de dos metros de largo. = We’re on the lookout for a desk that’s two ft lengthy
  • La ruta tenía tres millas de largo. = The route was three miles lengthy

alargado/alargada (elongated) 

This can be a synonym of largo that’s usually solely used when the noun is each lengthy and slender. It’s yet one more instance of how Spanish is a wealthy language filled with expressive adjectives. 

  • Italia es un país alargado. = Italy is a lengthy nation. 
  • Una trompa es una nariz alargada. = A trunk is a lengthy nostril.

prolongado/prolongada (extended)

This time period is utilized in particular situations resembling “a protracted sickness” or “a prolonged course of.” 

  • Su tratamiento es debido a su enfermedad prolongada. = Her therapy is due to her extended sickness. 
  • Cambiar su nombre puede ser un proceso prolongado. = Altering one’s identify is usually a extended course of. 

por mucho tiempo (for a very long time) 

This can be a nice approach to convey the concept of a prolonged period of time with out specifying the precise timeframe.

  • He estudiado por mucho tiempo. = I’ve studied for a very long time
  • Viví en Roma por mucho tiempo. = I lived in Rome for a very long time. 

How one can ask ‘How lengthy?’ in Spanish

That is the place the interpretation will rely on what you’re measuring, as there’s nobody approach to say “how lengthy?” You may also be taught “how a lot” in Spanish with some comparable buildings, to not be confused with “how for much longer?” in Spanish. See the chart for a breakdown of widespread expressions with “how lengthy.”

SpanishEnglish TranslationSpanish InstanceEnglish Instance
¿Cómo de largo/larga…? How lengthy is…? ¿Cómo de largo es el camino?¿Cómo de larga es la calle? How lengthy is the trail? How lengthy is the highway? 
¿Cuánto dura…?How lengthy does… final? (period)¿Cuánto dura el visado? How lengthy does the visa final?
¿Cuánto falta? How for much longer? ¿Cuánto falta para llegar?How for much longer to reach?
¿Cuánto llevas (place)How lengthy have you ever been (in a spot)? ¿Cuánto llevas en España? How lengthy have you ever been in Spain? 
¿Cuánto mide…?¿Cuánto miden…? How lengthy is…? (measurement)¿Cuánto mide el cable? ¿Cuánto miden los esquís?How lengthy is the cable/wire? How lengthy are the skis? 
¿Cuánto tiempo dura…?How lengthy is…? (period) ¿Cuánto tiempo dura la película?How lengthy is the film? 
¿Cuánto tiempo tarda…+ noun? How lengthy does (noun) take? ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda el procedimiento?How lengthy does the process take? 
¿Cuánto tiempo tarda en + verb? How lengthy does it take to (verb)? ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda en aprender español?How lengthy does it take to be taught Spanish?

Different expressions with ‘lengthy’ in Spanish

Impress the locals with these expressions and make your dialog sound extra pure. You possibly can be taught extra genuine Spanish phrases like these with Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion methodology, so that you be taught Spanish the way in which it’s spoken by native audio system. 

SpanishEnglish
a largo plazowithin the long-term 
a lo lejosa good distance off (at a terrific distance) 
all day lengthytodo el día
anhelar/desearto lengthy to do one thing (want)
¡Cuánto tiempo!Very long time, no see!/It’s been a very long time!
de larga distancialong-distance (flight/name) 
de toda la vidalifelong
faltar muchoan extended approach to go/quite a bit to do
mucho anteslengthy earlier than
muy lejosa good distance (far-off) 
por finin the end/lastly
siempre y cuandoso long as/as long as (if this situation is met) 
tener éxitoto go a good distance/to achieve success

It gained’t be lengthy earlier than you possibly can converse with confidence

With simply these translations of the phrase “lengthy” in Spanish, you possibly can focus on size, period, distance, and ask how lengthy one thing will take. Memorizing this listing is likely to be useful within the short-term, however for el éxito a largo plazo (long-term success), you’ll must transcend rote memorization. 

A part of how Rosetta Stone works is by introducing you to phrases in genuine context, with audio spoken by native audio system. This confirmed methodology may even have you ever talking comprehensibly from day one. Dentro de poco (earlier than lengthy), you’ll be capable to keep it up on a regular basis conversations with ease. 

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