我有好长时间已经不唱了
“I haven't sung that song for a long time.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
你以前唱京剧唱得特别好
“you used to sing Peking Opera really well.”
我 有 好长时间 已经 不 唱 了
“I haven't sung that song for a long time.”
“You haven't forgotten it, have you? Sing a bit for us.”
“Don't put me on the spot, I am out of practice and embarrassed to perform.”
When praised for an artistic skill, Chinese speakers typically downplay their current ability rather than accepting the compliment outright.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
a long time
Use '好' as an intensifier before '长时间' to express an extended duration in conversational speech.
Indicates a newly established state or condition of not having practiced for an extended period.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“This song hasn't been released yet. I sang it too early. You'll know in time.”
“And I don't know when I'll sing it right.”