Translation and Meaning of: 長引く - nagabiku

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 長引く (ながびく). It appears in everyday conversations, news, and even in animes, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this expression represents, how it is used in Japan, and why it is so useful for describing prolonged situations. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and practical explanations for those who want to master the language.

The meaning and use of 長引く

長引く is a Japanese verb that means "to prolong," "to take longer than expected," or "to extend over time." It is often used to describe situations that drag on, such as a meeting that doesn't end, an illness that persists, or even a harsh winter that seems never-ending. Unlike words like 遅れる (to be late), 長引く carries the nuance of something continuing beyond what was planned.

A common example is its use in medical contexts. The Japanese may say "風邪が長引いている" (kaze ga nagabiku ite iru) to indicate that a cold is taking a long time to pass. This application shows how the term is connected to everyday experiences, reinforcing its relevance for language learners.

The origin and structure of 長引く

The word 長引く is composed of two kanji: 長 (naga), meaning "long," and 引 (biku/hiku), which can be translated as "pull" or "drag." Together, they convey the idea of "something that is pulled to become longer," whether in a temporal or figurative sense. This construction is a great example of how Japanese combines characters to create precise meanings.

It is worth noting that, although 引く has multiple uses (such as "to pull" or "to subtract"), in 長引く it takes on a more abstract meaning. This demonstrates the flexibility of kanji and how its meaning can vary depending on the context in which it appears.

Tips for memorizing and using 長引く

An effective way to remember 長引く is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of events that tend to drag on, like endless lines or projects that go over deadlines. Creating sentences like "会議が長引いた" (the meeting prolonged) helps to internalize the verb naturally.

Another curiosity is that 長引く is rarely used for positive things. In Japan, it generally describes uncomfortable or unexpected circumstances. This cultural detail is valuable for those who want to sound more natural when speaking Japanese, avoiding inappropriate uses in neutral or optimistic contexts.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 長引く

• 長引く - Present positive form: 長引く Types 1 and 5
• 長引いた - Past positive form: 長引いた　Types 1 and 5
• 長引いている - Positive present continuous form: 長引いている Types 1 and 5
• 長引いたい - Potential form: 長引いたい Types 1 and 5
• 長引け - Imperative form: 長引け Types 1 and 5

Synonyms and similar words

• 長い (Nagai) - far away
• ずっと続く (Zutto Tsuzuku) - Continue for a long time
• 永遠に続く (Eien ni Tsuzuku) - Continue eternally
• しつこい (Shitsukoi) - Persistent, insistent
• うんざりする (Unzari suru) - To be tired or fed up with something
• 退屈な (Taikutsu na) - Boring
• 重苦しい (Omorokushii) - Heavy load, intense grief
• 疲れる (Tsukareru) - Fadigar, to get tired
• 飽きる (Akiru) - Get tired, lose interest
• つまらない (Tsumaranai) - Boring, dull
• もの悲しい (Monokanasii) - Sad, melancholic
• つらい (Tsurai) - Hard, difficult to bear
• 苦しい (Kurushii) - Painful, distressing
• 悲しい (Kanashii) - sad
• 憂鬱な (Yuuutsu na) - Melancholic, depressed
• 陰鬱な (In'utsu na) - Gloomy, heavy with sadness
• 暗い (Kurai) - Dark, gloomy
• 落ち込む (Ochikomu) - Feeling down, discouraged
• 沈む (Shizumu) - To sink, to descend, to be in a state of sadness
• 重い (Omoi) - Heavy, serious
• 重たい (Omotai) - Heavy, possibly implying a dense feeling
• 沈滞する (Chintai suru) - To be in a state of stagnation
• 停滞する (Teitai suru) - Stagnate, do not advance
• 進まない (Susumanai) - Do not move forward, do not progress.
• なかなか進まない (Nakanaka Susumanai) - Do not advance easily
• なかなか終わらない (Nakanaka Owaranai) - Not easily finished

長引く

Romaji: nagabiku
Kana: ながびく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: be prolonged; to drag

Meaning in English: to be prolonged;to drag on

Definition: something that lasts longer than planned.

Example Sentences - (長引く) nagabiku

See below some example sentences:

この病気は長引く可能性がある。

Kono byouki wa nagabiku kanousei ga aru

This disease can drag on for a long time.

This disease can be prolonged.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 長引く - verb meaning "to linger" or "to drag on"
• 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"