It's a long story
in SpanishEs una larga historia
/ess OO-nah LAR-gah ees-TOH-ree-ah/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say "It's a long story." It's used to signal that an explanation would be complicated, time-consuming, or that you'd rather not get into it right now.
Sometimes, an explanation is just too complicated for a short answer. 'Es una larga historia' is the perfect way to politely say you'll save the details for another time.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Es largo de contar
/ess LAR-go deh kohn-TAR/
Literally "It's long to tell." This is a very common alternative and is almost perfectly interchangeable with the primary translation. It focuses slightly more on the act of telling the story.
Uf, ni te cuento
/OOF, nee teh KWEN-toh/
This translates to something like, "Ugh, don't even get me started" or "I can't even tell you." The "Uf" adds a feeling of exhaustion or exasperation.
Es toda una historia
/ess TOH-dah OO-nah ees-TOH-ree-ah/
Meaning "It's a whole story" or "It's quite a story." This version implies that the story is not just long, but also has many interesting, dramatic, or unbelievable parts.
Hay mucha tela que cortar
/eye MOO-chah TEH-lah keh kor-TAR/
This is a popular idiom meaning "There's a lot of fabric to cut," which is the equivalent of "There's a lot to talk about" or "There's a lot to unpack here."
Es un cuento largo
/ess oon KWEN-toh LAR-go/
Literally "It's a long tale." While `historia` is more common for a true account, `cuento` is often used in this context to mean the same thing. See the 'Common Mistakes' section for more on this.
Es complicado
/ess kom-plee-KAH-doh/
Simply means "It's complicated." While not a direct translation, it serves the exact same purpose: to end a line of questioning without giving a full explanation.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best variation based on the situation and tone you want to convey.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Es una larga historia | Neutral | A universal, safe, and clear way to say it in any context. | Never wrong, but other options can add more personality or emotion. |
| Uf, ni te cuento | Informal | Expressing that the story is emotionally draining or frustrating with friends. | In formal or professional settings where showing strong emotion is inappropriate. |
| Es toda una historia | Neutral | Hinting that the story is very interesting, dramatic, or funny, and you might tell it later. | When the story is boring or you have no intention of ever sharing it. |
| Hay mucha tela que cortar | Neutral | A more colorful, slightly sophisticated way to imply complexity and many details. | Talking to absolute beginners who might not understand the idiom. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'h' in `historia` is silent, and the 'r' is a simple flap, not a strong roll. It flows nicely once you practice it a few times.
It's a fixed phrase, so you just need to memorize it as is. No complex grammar rules to worry about.
The main challenge is social: knowing when to use it to be polite versus when it might sound dismissive. It's all about tone and context.
Key Challenges:
- Mastering the right tone to sound friendly, not rude.
- Remembering to use feminine agreement: `una larga historia`.
💡Examples in Action
—¿Por qué llegaste tarde? —Uf, es una larga historia, pero lo importante es que ya estoy aquí.
—Why were you late? —Ugh, it's a long story, but the important thing is I'm here now.
Mi jefe me preguntó por qué el proyecto se retrasó. Le dije que era largo de contar y que le enviaría un resumen.
My boss asked me why the project was delayed. I told him it was a long story and that I'd send him a summary.
¿Que cómo nos conocimos tu abuelo y yo? Ay, hija, es toda una historia. Siéntate, que te la cuento.
How did your grandfather and I meet? Oh, honey, that's a whole story. Sit down, I'll tell it to you.
—¿Terminaste con Ana? ¿Qué pasó? —Hay mucha tela que cortar. Mejor hablemos de otra cosa, por favor.
—Did you break up with Ana? What happened? —There's a lot to unpack. Let's talk about something else, please.
🌍Cultural Context
The Art of the Polite Dodge
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, this phrase is a key social tool. It's a polite and indirect way to signal that you don't want to discuss something personal or complicated. It respects the other person's curiosity while gently setting a boundary, avoiding a blunt "I don't want to talk about it."
Tone is Everything
How you say "Es una larga historia" completely changes its meaning. A weary sigh suggests the topic is draining. A small, mysterious smile hints at a fun or juicy story for another time. A flat, quick delivery can mean "Let's change the subject now." Pay attention to the non-verbal cues when you hear it, and use them yourself.
An Invitation for Later
Unlike a direct shutdown, saying "it's a long story" often implies that the story *could* be told under different circumstances (e.g., when there's more time). It can even be used to build intrigue. If you want to be friendly, you can add, "...pero ya te contaré" (...but I'll tell you later).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing `Historia` and `Cuento`
Mistake: "Using `Es un largo cuento` when you mean to talk about a real series of events."
Correction: Use `Es una larga historia` for real-life events. Use `Es un cuento largo` for a fictional tale or, informally, in some regions for a real story.
Incorrect Gender Agreement
Mistake: "Saying `Es un largo historia` or `Es una largo historia`."
Correction: `Es una larga historia`.
Sounding Dismissive
Mistake: "Using the phrase with a blunt tone to shut down a conversation."
Correction: Soften it with a smile, a shrug, or a follow-up like `...pero no te preocupes, todo está bien` (...but don't worry, everything is fine).
💡Pro Tips
Add a Follow-Up to Soften the Blow
To avoid sounding secretive or rude, add a little extra phrase. Saying `Es una larga historia, pero te la cuento con un café un día de estos` ("...but I'll tell it to you over coffee one of these days") turns a conversation-ender into a friendly promise.
Use Body Language
This phrase is almost always accompanied by a physical gesture. A small shrug, a wave of the hand, or a sigh can help convey the meaning that the story is just too much for the moment. It makes the statement feel more natural and less abrupt.
Know When to Use the Simpler Version
Sometimes, all you need is `Es complicado` ("It's complicated"). If you're in a hurry or in a more formal setting where idioms feel out of place, this is a perfectly clear and effective alternative that achieves the same goal.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The idiom `Hay mucha tela que cortar` is very common and widely understood. You might also hear `Eso tiene miga` (literally, 'That has breadcrumbs'), meaning it's a complex issue with hidden substance.
Mexico
Mexicans might use `Es todo un rollo`, which means 'It's a whole hassle/mess,' to convey a similar idea with a more negative, complicated spin. For a very short, informal version, just saying `Está canijo` ('It's tough/tricky') can work.
Argentina
Argentinians are famous for their slang (`lunfardo`). For a very informal and strong version, they might say `Es un quilombo` or `Es un bardo`, both meaning 'It's a total mess/disaster.' These are highly informal and should only be used with close friends.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say it's a long story, they show understanding.
Ah, bueno. No te preocupes.
Oh, okay. Don't worry about it.
Gracias por entender.
Thanks for understanding.
They are concerned and want to make sure you're okay.
¿Pero todo bien?
But is everything okay?
Sí, sí, todo bien, gracias. Solo es... complicado.
Yes, yes, everything's fine, thanks. It's just... complicated.
They express interest in hearing the story later.
Bueno, cuando tengas tiempo me cuentas.
Okay, well, when you have time, you can tell me.
Claro que sí, con gusto.
Of course, with pleasure.
🧠Memory Tricks
This visual connects the Spanish words directly to their English counterparts and the idea of something being too long to explain.
🔄How It Differs from English
The function of this phrase is almost identical to its English counterpart. The main difference isn't linguistic but cultural; the use of gestures, tone, and softening follow-up phrases is often more pronounced in Spanish to maintain social harmony and warmth, even when setting a conversational boundary.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Directly translating 'tale' to `cuento` can be tricky. While `Es un cuento largo` is used, `cuento`'s primary meaning is a fictional story. For real-life events, `historia` is the more accurate and universally safe word.
Use instead: Default to `Es una larga historia` for real events. Use `cuento` if you hear native speakers in a specific region use it in this context.
🎯Your Learning Path
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: It's a long story
Question 1 of 3
You bump into a coworker you don't know well. They ask why you switched departments. You don't want to explain the complex office politics involved. What's the most appropriate thing to say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to say 'Es una larga historia'?
Not at all! It's generally considered a polite way to avoid a topic. However, your tone of voice is crucial. If you say it with a warm, friendly tone, it's perfectly fine. If you say it coldly or abruptly, it can come across as dismissive.
What's the real difference between 'historia' and 'cuento' in this phrase?
`Historia` refers to a true account of events, making `Es una larga historia` the most accurate and standard choice. `Cuento` typically means a fictional tale. However, in some parts of Latin America, `Es un cuento largo` is used informally to mean the same thing. When in doubt, stick with `historia`.
How can I make the phrase sound friendlier?
The best way is to add a follow-up promise. Try saying, `Es una larga historia, pero te prometo que te la cuento pronto` ('...but I promise I'll tell you soon') or `...pero lo importante es que todo se solucionó` ('...but the important thing is that everything worked out').
What if I want to be more dramatic or informal with my friends?
With close friends, you can definitely be more expressive. Try `Uf, ni te cuento` ('Ugh, don't even get me started') or `Es toda una historia` ('It's quite a story'). If you're in a region with specific slang, like `Es todo un rollo` in Mexico, you can use that for a very local, informal feel.
Can I use this phrase in a business or professional email?
Yes, but with caution. It's better suited for conversation. In an email, it might seem evasive. A better professional alternative would be something like `Los detalles son algo complejos, pero puedo preparar un resumen` ('The details are somewhat complex, but I can prepare a summary').
What's the quickest way to say this if I'm in a hurry?
The fastest way to convey the same idea is simply to say `Es complicado` ('It's complicated'). It's short, direct, universally understood, and achieves the same goal of ending the line of questioning without giving a full explanation.
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