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長蛇の列 (chōda no retsu - a long queue/line)

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression (noun phrase)

neutral

How it works

This is a compound noun phrase consisting of '長蛇' (chōda - long snake) and '列' (retsu - line/queue), connected by the possessive particle 'の' (no). It literally translates to 'line of a long snake', implying a winding, very long line of people or vehicles. It functions as a noun.

Sample sentences

人気レストランの前にはいつも長蛇の列ができています。

There is always a long queue in front of the popular restaurant.

イベントの入場券を求めて、多くの人が長蛇の列を作っていました。

Many people were forming a long queue to get tickets for the event.

テーマパークのアトラクションには長蛇の列ができていて、1時間待ちでした。

There was a long queue for the theme park attraction, and we had to wait for an hour.

Quick facts

etymology:The term '長蛇' (chōda) literally means 'long snake', an ancient Chinese idiom referring to a continuous, winding formation. It is used metaphorically in Japanese to describe anything that is very long and winding, like a queue.

Often used with

長蛇の列に並ぶ (chōda no retsu ni narabu - to stand in a long queue)

長蛇の列ができる (chōda no retsu ga dekiru - a long queue forms)

長蛇の列をなす (chōda no retsu o nasu - to form a long queue)

長蛇の列が続く (chōda no retsu ga tsuzuku - a long queue continues)

長蛇の列に加わる (chōda no retsu ni kuwawaru - to join a long queue)

Mnemonic

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Example

人気レストランの前にはいつも長蛇の列ができています。

There is always a long queue in front of the popular restaurant.

イベントの入場券を求めて、多くの人が長蛇の列を作っていました。

Many people were forming a long queue to get tickets for the event.