長々・長長・永々・永永|ながながnaganaga[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
長々長々 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It is the form learners are most likely to encounter and should use when writing the expression.
長長長長 is a less common kanji variant of 長々. You may encounter it, but choose 長々 when writing the expression yourself.
永々永々 is a rarely used kanji variant. You may encounter it occasionally, but beginners should use 長々 instead when writing the expression.
永永永永 is a rarely used kanji variant. It is less common than 長々 and is not the form beginners should choose when writing the expression.
Definitions
- adverb (with と)for a long time; at (great) length; lengthily; long-windedly; tediously
- adverb (with と)(extending) far; (stretching) out; (lying down) at full length
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym延々えんえんWrittenWritten. For things going on endlessly, as in 「延々と続く」. It stresses unbroken continuation; 長々 stresses wordiness or a body stretched out.
- Synonym長らくながらくWrittenWritten. Means for a long time, as in 「長らくお待たせしました」 or 「長らく続く」. It stresses sheer duration and carries no hint of wordiness.
- Synonym長い間ながいあいだNeutralNeutral. Means a very long time, as in 「長い間お世話になりました」. It stresses the span of time itself.
- RelatedいつまでもNeutralNeutral. Means forever or always, as in 「いつまでも友達」. It stresses the absence of any end point.
- RelatedずっとCasualColloquial. Means continuously or all along. The most frequently used of this group, with no nuance of wordiness.
- Related末永くすえながくWrittenWritten. Means forever, for years to come, as in 「末永くお幸せに」. It leans toward blessings and good wishes.
- Related幾久しくいくひさしくFormalFormal. Means forever, used chiefly in wedding congratulations such as 「幾久しくお幸せに」.
- Related尽未来際じんみらいさいFormalFormal. A Buddhist term meaning on and on into the endless future; rarely used in modern Japanese.
- Related千代に八千代にちよにやちよにFormalFormal. Means for generation after generation; known from the national anthem 「君が代」 and carries a classical flavor.
- RelatedくだくだCasualColloquial. Means rambling on at length, as in 「くだくだ言う」. It stresses repetitive, nagging talk.
- AntonymひとときNeutralMeans a short moment, the opposite of long-lasting 長々, as in 「楽しいひと時」.
- Antonym暫時ざんじWrittenWritten. Means for a short while, the opposite of 長々's long stretch of time.
Use 「長々」 for talking at length, a long stretch of time, or a body stretched out, as in 「長々と話す」 and 「長々と寝そべる」. For something continuing endlessly pick 「延々」, for a long duration 「長らく」; the opposite is 「ひと時」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 永久に。いつまでも。
- 長年。
Kanji in this word
