What does 長 mean in Japanese?
長 means “long.” Its everyday form is the adjective 長い (nagai), which describes length in both space and time.
With the reading チョウ, 長 also means “head” or “chief,” as in 社長 (shachou, company president) and 校長 (kouchou, principal).
Reading
On’yomi: チョウ (chou)
Kun’yomi: なが-い (naga-i)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 長 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | long, chief |
| Stroke Count | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
長い works for physical length, as in 長い髪 (long hair), and for time, as in 長い間 (for a long time). Titles such as 社長 and 校長 are often used in place of a name when speaking to or about that person. In 長男, 長 means “eldest.”
Common Words
- 長い（ながい / nagai） — long
- 長さ（ながさ / nagasa） — length
- 身長（しんちょう / shinchou） — (a person’s) height
- 社長（しゃちょう / shachou） — company president
- 校長（こうちょう / kouchou） — school principal
- 長男（ちょうなん / chounan） — eldest son
Example Sentences
-
妹は髪が長いです。
いもうとはかみがながいです。 / Imouto wa kami ga nagai desu.
My younger sister has long hair.
-
身長はどのくらいですか。
しんちょうはどのくらいですか。 / Shinchou wa dono kurai desu ka.
How tall are you?
-
社長は今、会議中です。
しゃちょうはいま、かいぎちゅうです。 / Shachou wa ima, kaigichuu desu.
The company president is in a meeting right now.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
To say someone is tall, use 背が高い or 身長が高い, not 長い; 身長 itself is the noun for height. 長い changes like other i-adjectives: 長くない (not long), 長かった (was long).
Summary
Use 長い for long objects and long periods, 背が高い for tall people, and the reading チョウ in titles like 社長 and 校長.
Want to study more JLPT N4 kanji by theme? See our JLPT N4 Kanji Study List.