Bedeutung
Requiring a long period of effort.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The French value 'la rigueur' and 'la persévérance.' Describing a project as 'de longue haleine' is a way to signal that it is serious and not a superficial 'quick fix.' Literary critics often use this phrase to describe 'les romans-fleuves' (saga novels) like those of Balzac or Proust. Politicians use this to manage expectations. If a reform is 'de longue haleine,' the public shouldn't expect results before the next election. Whether it's making lace in Alençon or aging cheese, the concept of taking one's time is central to French identity.
Use it in Interviews
Using this phrase in a French job interview shows you have 'grit' and understand that real results take time.
Don't forget the 'de'
It's almost always 'un [nom] DE longue haleine'. Without the 'de', it sounds like you're talking about someone's actual breath.
Bedeutung
Requiring a long period of effort.
Use it in Interviews
Using this phrase in a French job interview shows you have 'grit' and understand that real results take time.
Don't forget the 'de'
It's almost always 'un [nom] DE longue haleine'. Without the 'de', it sounds like you're talking about someone's actual breath.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
La rédaction de ce dictionnaire est un travail de ______ ______.
'Haleine' is feminine singular, so 'longue' is required.
In which situation is 'de longue haleine' most appropriate?
Choose the best context:
The phrase implies a long-term, sustained creative or professional effort.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu penses finir ton projet demain ? B: Oh non, c'est un ______.
This explains why the project won't be finished by tomorrow.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenLa rédaction de ce dictionnaire est un travail de ______ ______.
'Haleine' is feminine singular, so 'longue' is required.
Choose the best context:
The phrase implies a long-term, sustained creative or professional effort.
A: Tu penses finir ton projet demain ? B: Oh non, c'est un ______.
This explains why the project won't be finished by tomorrow.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
4 FragenYes, but 'un travail de longue haleine' is more elegant and emphasizes the effort and stamina required, not just the clock time.
Yes, 'une haleine' is always feminine. That's why we always use 'longue'.
Occasionally, to describe a long season or a tournament, but 'endurance' is more common in pure sports talk.
Absolutely! It will make you sound very advanced and culturally aware.
Verwandte Redewendungen
tenir la distance
similarTo go the distance / to last.
s'inscrire dans la durée
synonymTo be long-term.
à bout de souffle
contrastOut of breath / at the end of one's rope.
un travail de fourmi
similarMeticulous, painstaking work.
