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shuō 说 lái 来 huà 话 cháng 长

说来话长 shuō lái huà cháng

it's a long story

Literally: speak come talk long

Beginner 💬 Speech & communication
🃏 Practise beginner chengyu

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Common in Ming and Qing vernacular fiction.

How to use it

Standalone reply or opening clause; neutral. Often 这件事说来话长.

Example sentences

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  1. A：你们怎么认识的？B：说来话长，我们坐下慢慢聊。
    A: Nǐmen zěnme rènshi de? B: Shuō lái huà cháng, wǒmen zuòxià mànmàn liáo.
    A: How did you two meet? B: It's a long story; let's sit down and talk it over slowly.
    A: you-plural how know (particle)? B: speak come talk long, we sit-down slowly chat
  2. 我为什么离开那家公司，说来话长。
    Wǒ wèishénme líkāi nà jiā gōngsī, shuō lái huà cháng.
    Why I left that company is a long story.
    I why leave that (measure) company, speak come talk long

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