In a sentence
Il film era troppo lungo per i bambini.
The movie was too long for the kids.
Ho un cappotto lungo e caldo.
I have a long, warm coat.
Non voglio una riunione lunga oggi.
I don't want a long meeting today.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| lungo | masculine · singular |
| lunga | feminine · singular |
| lunghi | masculine · plural |
| lunghe | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'lungo' for physical length; 'lunghissimo' for emphasis. Avoid for time—use 'lungo' only in fixed phrases like 'a lungo'.
- Agrees in gender/number: 'lunga strada', 'lunghi viaggi'. Common mistake: forgetting the feminine 'lunga'.
- In coffee, 'caffè lungo' means diluted espresso. Don’t confuse with 'americano' (hot water added).
Meaning · noun
length (in phrases), tall player, long espresso
- tall player (in basketball)
- long espresso
- length (only in phrases like 'per il lungo')
In a sentence
Abbiamo tagliato la tavola di legno per il lungo.
We cut the wooden board lengthwise.
Il lungo della nostra squadra di basket è altissimo.
Our basketball team's center is very tall.
Al bar prendo sempre un lungo senza zucchero.
At the bar I always have a long espresso without sugar.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| lungo | masculine · singular |
| lunghi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- As a noun, lungo is uncommon alone; length is usually lunghezza. You'll mostly meet lungo as an adjective or adverb.
- Do not confuse noun lungo with adjective lungo/lunga. In phrases like il lungo periodo, lungo is an adjective, not a noun.
- For physical measurement, prefer lunghezza. Noun lungo appears in specialized, literary, or fixed expressions rather than everyday speech.
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