How to Say ‘Is still long / there is still a long way to go’ in Italian
È ancora lunga
eh ahn-KOH-rah LOON-gah
[eh ahn-KOH-rah LOON-gah]
💬 Usage Tip: This is a very common Italian expression. Literally, it means “it’s still long,” but in natural English it means “it’s not over yet” or “there’s still a long way to go.” Great for reacting to a close call in a tense 2026 World Cup match.
🇮🇹 In Italy: Italians love this phrase in football because it sounds dramatic but hopeful. You can say it when your team survives a scare and there’s still plenty of match left.
Phrase Breakdown
È
[eh]
is
Third-person singular of "essere" meaning "is." Here it comments on the state of the game.
In "È ancora lunga", "È" significa "is".
In "È ancora lunga", "È" means "is".
ancora
[ahn-KOH-rah]
still; yet
An adverb meaning something continues or has not finished yet.
In "È ancora lunga", "ancora" fa capire che non è finita.
In "È ancora lunga", "ancora" makes it clear that it is not over.
lunga
[LOON-gah]
long
An adjective meaning long; in this expression it means there is still a long way to go.
In "È ancora lunga", "lunga" vuol dire che manca ancora tempo o strada.
In "È ancora lunga", "lunga" means that there is still time or distance left.
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