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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'long' with 长 (cháng)

    Description & Modification
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Noun + 长 / 长 + 的 + Noun

    Explanation

    The adjective 长 (cháng) means 'long' and describes the physical length of an object or the duration of time. It is one of the most fundamental dimensional adjectives in Chinese and can modify nouns directly with 的 or serve as a predicate. It contrasts with 短 (duǎn), meaning 'short.'

    Examples

    • 她的头发特别长，都到腰了。

      tā de tóufa tèbié cháng, dōu dào yāo le.

      Her hair is really long — it reaches her waist.

    • 这部电影太长了，我看到一半就困了。

      zhè bù diànyǐng tài cháng le, wǒ kàn dào yíbàn jiù kùn le.

      This movie was too long; I got sleepy halfway through.

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    Expressing 'long' with 长 (cháng) | Chinese Grammar