长龙
chánglóng
Long dragon · trad. 長龍
长龙 (chánglóng) literally means "long dragon." However, it's most commonly used metaphorically to describe a very long line or queue of people, vehicles, or objects, resembling a winding dragon.
What does 长龙 (chánglóng) mean?
长龙 (chánglóng) means “long dragon” in English.
When to use it
Neutral and descriptive. It's a vivid way to describe a long queue. For a more direct term, you can use 长队 (chángduì), meaning "long queue." When talking about people queuing, you can use 排队 (páiduì) for "to queue."
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "CHAHNG-LOONG." Both syllables have a rising tone, so the pitch goes up for both 长 and 龙.
Other ways to say it
- 长队chángduìlong queue / long line
- 排长队pái chángduìto stand in a long queue
- 长长的队伍chángchang de duìwua very long line (descriptive)
Examples
火车站排起了长龙。
Huǒchēzhàn pái qǐle chánglóng.
A long queue formed at the train station.
高速公路上堵车堵成了长龙。
Gāosù gōnglù shàng dǔchē dǔ chéngle chánglóng.
The traffic jam on the highway formed a long line (of cars).
门口的队伍像一条长龙。
Ménkǒu de duìwu xiàng yì tiáo chánglóng.
The line at the entrance was like a long dragon.
Pro tip: While 长龙 literally means 'long dragon,' its most common use is metaphorical, describing a very long line or queue of people or vehicles, evoking the image of a winding dragon. Don't use it for actual mythical dragons unless you're describing their length.
Related phrases
龙 · Dragon中国龙 · Ancient china dragon真龙 · Imperial dragon
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