Before long Meaning in English
expression
ˌbiˈfɔɹ/, /bɪˈfɔɹ/ /ˈɫɔŋ
bih-FOR lawng
bɪfˈɔː/ /lˈɒŋ
bih-FOR long
Definition
Used to say that something will happen soon, but not immediately. It means 'in a short time.'
Usage & Nuances
Used in spoken and written English, usually informal. Often appears at the beginning or end of a sentence. Not as immediate as 'soon'; use when you expect something to happen in the near future but not right now. Common combinations: 'will happen before long', 'she'll arrive before long'.
Spanish: pronto - dentro de pocoPortuguese (BR): em breve - logoPortuguese (PT): em breve - dentro em pouco tempoChinese (Simplified): 不久 - 很快Chinese (Traditional): 不久 - 很快Hindi: जल्दी ही - बहुत जल्दीArabic: قريبًا - بعد قليلBengali: শিগগিরই - খুব বেশি দেরি নয়Russian: скоро - в ближайшее времяJapanese: まもなく - そのうちVietnamese: chẳng bao lâu nữa - không lâu nữaKorean: 머지않아 - 곧Turkish: çok geçmeden - yakındaUrdu: جلد ہی - زیادہ دیر نہیں لگے گیIndonesian: tak lama lagi - sebentar lagi
Example Sentences
Before long, it started to rain.
basic
He moved to the city and found a job before long.
basic
The kids will be home before long.
basic
If you keep practicing, you’ll get better before long.
natural
Don’t worry—she’ll call you before long.
natural
They’re opening a new café here before long.
natural