Meaning and Usage
"오랫동안" means "for a long time" and is used to describe a lengthy duration of time. It is often used in both spoken and written Korean to emphasize the extended period something has lasted or will last.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "오랫동안" when talking about work experience, relationships, waiting times, or any situation where duration is important.
Collocations and Patterns
- 오랫동안 기다리다: to wait for a long time, used to express patience or gratitude.
- 오랫동안 살다: to live somewhere for a long time, often used in personal histories.
- 오랫동안 친구로 지내다: to be friends for a long time, emphasizing a lasting relationship.
Register and Politeness
"오랫동안" is neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts. It fits well with polite expressions like "감사합니다" (thank you) or descriptive sentences.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "오랫동안" with "오래". While both mean "long time," "오랫동안" is more formal and emphasizes duration more clearly. Use "오랫동안" when you want to stress the length of time explicitly.