"Yiyan nanjin" (It's a long story) means that a matter is so complicated and full of twists and turns that it cannot be summed up in a single sentence. It is often used to express that one has a thousand words in one's heart, yet finds it hard to explain in detail because of the many threads, complex emotions, or limited time. This idiom comes from the Jingben Popular Novels and is common in both spoken and written Chinese, carrying a tone of helplessness, lament, or hesitation. It is used in a wide range of situations, such as describing personal experiences, family upheavals, historical entanglements, or social phenomena. When a speaker feels that the other party would find it hard to understand or is unwilling to go into detail, this idiom is also often used as a tactful way to close the topic. It reflects the subtle and concise character of Chinese expression, suggesting that behind it lies a rich story or deep-seated reason that the listener must grasp on their own or discuss in detail on another occasion.
📝 Example
1. Speaking of his entrepreneurial journey over the years, he sighed and said, "It's a long story." (indicating a complex experience that cannot be simply explained)
2. As for the feud between the two families, it's really a long story, involving the entanglements of several generations. (indicating a complicated matter that is difficult to explain in a few words)