longtemps

The French word "longtemps" means "a long time" or "for a long time." It is an adverb that describes an extended duration.

Use in sentences:

• "J'ai attendu longtemps." (I waited a long time.)
• "Il pleut depuis longtemps." (It has been raining for a long time.)

Synonyms and differences:

1. Durée: This means "duration" or "length of time." It refers more to the measurement of time rather than the adverbial sense of an extended period.

2. Lentement: Although it shares the root "lent" (slow), "lentement" means "slowly." It addresses the manner in which something happens over time, differing in meaning drastically from "longtemps."

3. Répétition: In some contexts, if you're referring to habits or repeated actions, you might use "de façon répétée" (repeatedly), which would imply action across time, a different aspect than simply indicating duration with "longtemps."

In sum, "longtemps" is specifically focused on the length of time, while its synonyms may pertain to other aspects of duration or the manner in which time-related actions occur.