我一直想做电视工作，但花了两年才进了这个圈子。

I always wanted to work in TV but it took me two years to get a foot in the door.

《牛津词典》

我花了大约十年的时间才读完。

It took me around ten years to get through.

youdao

我奶奶花了10年时间才得以熟练地制作纸艺术。

It took 10 years before my grandma could make paper art skillfully.

youdao

So it took me four years to study

我花了4年的时间学习它，

伦敦的出租车司机 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人