Translation guide
Expresses that something continues for a longer time than expected or planned. In Japanese, this is often conveyed through verbs meaning 'to be extended' or 'to drag on', with the choice depending on whether the extension is intentional or undesirable.
The duration of an event, state, or period is made longer, often by arrangement or natural consequence.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be extended' or 'to be prolonged'. Used when something becomes longer in time or length without specifying an agent. Common for deadlines, meetings, or lifespans.
会議が30分延びた。
The meeting was prolonged by 30 minutes.
寿命が延びる。
Lifespan is prolonged.
Passive form of 'to extend', meaning 'to be prolonged' in a formal or official sense. Often used for contracts, deadlines, or events that are officially extended.
契約が延長された。
The contract was prolonged.
Something continues for an annoyingly long time, often causing frustration or impatience.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to drag on' or 'to be prolonged' with a negative connotation. Used for meetings, illnesses, wars, etc., that last longer than expected and are unwelcome.
会議が長引いている。
The meeting is dragging on.
病気が長引く。
The illness is prolonged.
Phrase meaning 'to continue sluggishly' or 'to drag on tediously'. Emphasizes the lack of energy or purpose in the prolonged state.
だらだらと続く会議にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with meetings that drag on and on.
Something becomes longer in physical length or duration, often as a result of an action.
Passive form of 'to stretch/lengthen', meaning 'to be prolonged' or 'to be stretched'. Can refer to both physical length and time, but often implies an agent doing the lengthening.
休暇が一週間伸ばされた。
The vacation was prolonged by a week.
延びる is neutral and often planned; 長引く is negative and unplanned. Use 延びる for a scheduled extension (e.g., a deadline moved to a later date) and 長引く when something is taking too long and causing trouble.
提出期限が延びた。
The submission deadline was extended.
話し合いが長引いて、終電に間に合わなかった。
The discussion dragged on and I missed the last train.