Korean Dictionary
How to say "Long" in Korean
“Long” in Korean is 긴 (pronounced "Gin").
긴
Gin
Usage & Context
Gin is the Korean word for long. Long shapes are used in Korean design to create extension and continuity. They represent duration and persistence.
Example Sentence
긴 목걸이가 우아해요.
The long necklace is elegant.
How to use 긴 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Long” is 긴, romanized as Gin.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 긴.
Pronunciation Guide
'Gin' sounds exactly like the English word 'gin'. The 'g' is soft, and the 'i' is like the 'i' in 'sit' or 'pin'. It's a single, quick syllable.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
길다
gilda
This is the base dictionary form of the adjective, from which all conjugations are derived. It can be used formally with endings like -습니다/-ㅂ니다 or -어요/-아요.
Casual (반말)
길다
gilda
This is the plain form of the adjective, often used in casual speech or writing when stating a fact, or in informal settings.
More Example Sentences
Complimenting someone's hairstyle.
긴 머리가 정말 잘 어울려요.
Long hair really suits you.
Talking about travel or a journey.
긴 여행 끝에 드디어 집에 도착했어요.
Finally arrived home after a long journey.
Describing a queue or waiting experience.
긴 줄을 서서 기다려야 했어요.
I had to wait in a long line.
Cultural Context
'긴' is a fundamental adjective used for both physical length (e.g., hair, roads, objects) and duration (e.g., time, meetings, journeys). In K-dramas, characters might express emotions or reflect on '긴 밤' (gin bam, long night) or '긴 시간' (gin sigan, long time). It can also imply patience, endurance, or a significant period of time, making it versatile in daily conversations.
Editorial note
We review entries like 긴 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
긴 이야기
long story
긴 하루
long day
긴 팔
long sleeves/arms
Related Expressions
장시간
jangsigan
long time (noun)
오랜
oraen
long-standing, old (often for time)
짧은
jjalbeun
short (antonym)
길다
gilda
to be long (base form)
More Colors and Shapes Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Long and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
