"Long ago" is an adverbial phrase that refers to a time in the distant past, often used when discussing events or situations that occurred many years prior to the present. It is frequently used in both oral speech and written contexts, although it may appear more commonly in storytelling, literature, or historical discussions.
This phrase is encountered often in spoken narratives and written texts, particularly those related to history, folklore, and personal anecdotes.
(Translation: Hace mucho tiempo, vivió un gran rey que gobernaba con sabiduría.)
They say that long ago, the mountains were once flat.
(Translation: Dicen que hace mucho tiempo, las montañas una vez fueron planas.)
Long ago, I made a promise to always be there for you.
"Long ago" can also be used in a variety of idiomatic expressions or narratives that reflect historical or mythical contexts. Here are examples of idiomatic constructs using "long ago.”
(Translation: Hace mucho tiempo y lejos, se contaban historias de héroes alrededor del fuego.)
In a land long ago, magic was a part of everyday life.
(Translation: En una tierra hace mucho tiempo, la magia era parte de la vida diaria.)
They often reminisce about the days long ago when they were young.
(Translation: A menudo recuerdan los días hace mucho tiempo cuando eran jóvenes.)
Long ago, it was believed that the stars could tell our fate.
The phrase "long ago" combines the adjective "long," which originates from Old English lang, and the adverb "ago," traced back to Old English āgān, meaning "away, off." The combination emphasizes the distance in time.