dlho

Dlho is a word found in Slovak that functions as an adverb meaning “for a long time” or simply “long.” It is used to indicate duration with verbs, as in Čakal som dlho (I waited for a long time) or Film trvá dlho (The film lasts a long time). It also appears in compounds such as dlhoočakávaný, meaning “long-awaited.”

Etymology and cognates: Dlho comes from the Slavic root associated with length. Related forms appear across Slavic languages, including Russian дóлгo (dolgo), Polish długo, Czech dlouho, and Serbo-Croatian dugo. These terms share a common origin in Proto-Slavic *dlъgъ, meaning long. While the exact spelling and usage differ by language, the core meaning remains linked to duration and extent.

Usage and related forms: In Slovak, dlho is primarily an adverb that accompanies verbs to convey duration. The corresponding adjective is dlhý, meaning “long.” Common expressions include na dlhú dobu (“for a long time”). Dlhoočakávaný is a widely used compound meaning “long-awaited.” Although closely related to other Slavic terms, dlho is not a proper noun and does not typically function as an acronym or brand name.

See also: Slavic languages; duration and time expressions; related words such as dlhý (long) and na dlhú dobu (for a long time).