说来话长

說來話長

shuōlái-huàcháng

idiom #5,434

Meanings

HSK 3

这件事说来话长，你确定要听吗？

Zhè jiàn shì shuōlái-huàcháng, nǐ quèdìng yào tīng ma?

This matter is a long story - are you sure you want to hear it?

HSK 6

说来话长，我们慢慢聊。

Shuōlái-huàcháng, wǒmen mànmàn liáo.

It's a long story - let's talk slowly.

usage

Used at the beginning of a conversation to warn that the explanation will be lengthy. Similar to the English 'it's a long story'.

说 shuō

来 lái

话 huà

长 cháng