ยาว

Explanation

The core image of ยาว is something extending a considerable distance in one direction. Its most basic use describes the physical length of hair, legs, roads, ropes, clothing, and similar things. The same idea extends to periods of time and the amount of speech or writing. After an action word, as in พูดยาว “talk at length,” it indicates that the action continues for a long time. These uses are grouped here because they all share the idea of extended length. ยาว normally follows the noun it describes. For example, ผมยาว can mean “long hair” or “the hair is long.” Common degree expressions include ยาวมาก “very long,” ยาวเกินไป “too long,” and ยาวขึ้น “become longer.” A specific measurement can follow ยาว, as in เชือกยาวห้าเมตร, “a rope five meters long.”

Usage

Commonly used to describe the length of hair, nails, legs, roads, ropes, and clothing. It also appears when talking about extended holidays, long stories, lengthy messages, and actions such as speaking, writing, or staying for an extended time.

Caution

ยาว describes length from one end to the other. Use กว้าง for width, สูง for height or tallness, and ไกล for distance meaning “far.” When referring only to how long an action lasts, นาน is often more idiomatic; for example, รอนาน means “wait a long time.”

1 long synonyms

• นาน

  naan long (in time or duration)

  นาน focuses specifically on duration and commonly modifies actions such as waiting, staying, or continuing. ยาว primarily describes physical length but also extends to periods, speech, and writing. For an action lasting a long time, as in รอนาน “wait a long time,” นาน is often more natural.

• ยืดยาว

  ยืดยาว describes something prolonged or drawn out, especially a discussion, explanation, or issue, and may suggest excessive length. ยาว is the neutral, general word and is also widely used for physical length.