B1 Expression 중립

andare per le lunghe

to drag on

To last longer than expected.

🌍

문화적 배경

In Italy, 'andare per le lunghe' is often expected during meals. A 'pranzo della domenica' that doesn't go long might even be seen as a sign that the guests didn't enjoy themselves. In Italian-speaking Switzerland, the phrase is used similarly but often with a bit more frustration, reflecting a culture that values punctuality slightly more than in Southern Italy. While English speakers might say 'it dragged on' with a negative tone, Italians often use 'andare per le lunghe' as a neutral observation of social reality. In Japanese business culture, things 'nagabiku' (drag on) due to the need for consensus (nemawashi), which mirrors the Italian tendency for long discussions to ensure everyone is heard.

💡

The 'Essere' Rule

Always use 'essere' in the past tense. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

⚠️

Not for People

Don't say 'Lui va per le lunghe' to mean he is tall. It only refers to events or processes.

To last longer than expected.

💡

The 'Essere' Rule

Always use 'essere' in the past tense. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

⚠️

Not for People

Don't say 'Lui va per le lunghe' to mean he is tall. It only refers to events or processes.

🎯

Use with Burocrazia

If you want to sound like a local when complaining about Italian paperwork, this is your go-to phrase.

💬

Polite Complaining

This is a 'safe' way to complain about a delay without sounding too aggressive.

셀프 테스트

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'andare'.

Ieri la discussione con il mio capo ______ per le lunghe.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: è andata

The subject 'discussione' is feminine singular, and 'andare' requires 'essere'.

Which of these is the correct fixed idiom?

Non voglio che la riunione...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: vada per le lunghe

The idiom is always 'per le lunghe' (feminine plural).

Match the response to the situation.

Situation: Your friend is 2 hours late because of a family lunch.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: È andata per le lunghe, eh?

This is the natural way to comment on a social event that lasted too long.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Com'è andato l'esame? B: Bene, ma ___________ perché c'erano troppi studenti.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: è andato per le lunghe

The subject is 'l'esame' (masculine singular), so the participle must be 'andato'.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Andare vs. Tirarla

Andare per le lunghe
Accidental Accidentale
Neutral Neutro
Tirarla per le lunghe
Intentional Intenzionale
Annoying Fastidioso

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'andare'. Fill Blank B1

Ieri la discussione con il mio capo ______ per le lunghe.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: è andata

The subject 'discussione' is feminine singular, and 'andare' requires 'essere'.

Which of these is the correct fixed idiom? Choose A2

Non voglio che la riunione...

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: vada per le lunghe

The idiom is always 'per le lunghe' (feminine plural).

Match the response to the situation. situation_matching B1

Situation: Your friend is 2 hours late because of a family lunch.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: È andata per le lunghe, eh?

This is the natural way to comment on a social event that lasted too long.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: Com'è andato l'esame? B: Bene, ma ___________ perché c'erano troppi studenti.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: è andato per le lunghe

The subject is 'l'esame' (masculine singular), so the participle must be 'andato'.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

Yes, if the plot is dragging and taking too long to get to the point, you can say 'La storia va per le lunghe'.

It's neutral. You can use it in a business email or with your grandmother.

There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but you could say 'andare spediti' (to go quickly/smoothly).

It's an old ellipsis for 'vie lunghe' (long ways).

No, that's not an idiom. You would say 'tagliare corto' (to cut it short).

It can be, as it accuses someone of wasting time on purpose.

Usually, yes. It implies the duration was more than necessary.

Only if there was a delay. If the flight was scheduled for 12 hours, it didn't 'andare per le lunghe', it was just long.

Use the stare + gerund: 'Sta andando per le lunghe'.

Yes, it is a standard Italian expression used from Milan to Sicily.

Yes, for example: 'Il mio precedente progetto è andato per le lunghe per motivi tecnici'.

'Durare molto' is just a statement of fact. 'Andare per le lunghe' implies a process that felt stretched or delayed.

관련 표현

🔗

tirarla per le lunghe

similar

To intentionally delay something.

🔗

andare per il sottile

contrast

To be very meticulous or fussy.

🔗

a lungo andare

similar

In the long run.

🔗

farla lunga

specialized form

To talk too much about something.

🔗

per farla breve

contrast

To make a long story short.

도움이 되었나요?
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!