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

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase literally translates to 'to join a long snake's line.' '長蛇 (chōda)' means 'long snake,' referring metaphorically to something very long and winding. 'の列 (no retsu)' means 'line/queue,' and 'に加わる (ni kuwawaru)' means 'to join.' The particle 'に (ni)' indicates the destination or object of joining.

    Sample sentences

    人気のアトラクションに乗るため、長蛇の列に加わった。

    To ride the popular attraction, I joined the long queue.

    そのラーメン店はいつも混んでいて、長蛇の列に加わる覚悟が必要です。

    That ramen shop is always crowded, so you need to be prepared to join a long queue.

    イベント会場では、入場を待つ長蛇の列に多くの人が加わっていた。

    At the event venue, many people were joining the long queue waiting for admission.

    Quick facts

    etymology:長蛇 (chōda) literally means 'long snake,' an idiom deriving from ancient Chinese literature describing a long, winding military formation or simply a very long line. The visual imagery of a snake is vivid for describing a long queue.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    人気のアトラクションに乗るため、長蛇の列に加わった。

    To ride the popular attraction, I joined the long queue.

    そのラーメン店はいつも混んでいて、長蛇の列に加わる覚悟が必要です。

    That ramen shop is always crowded, so you need to be prepared to join a long queue.

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