01
jahrzehntelang
decades-long
Describes a period of time that extends over several decades.
example
Nach jahrzehntelanger Forschung wurde endlich ein Heilmittel gefunden.
After decades of research, a cure was finally found.
jahrzehntelang
decades-long
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'Jahrzehnt' (decade) and 'lang' (long). This structure is very productive in German for describing lengths of time, for example also 'tagelang' (for days), 'wochenlang' (for weeks), or 'jahrelang' (for years).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben jahrelang auf diese Gelegenheit gewartet.
We waited for years for this opportunity.
Adjective and adverb
'Jahrzehntelang' (decades-long / for decades) can stand before a noun as an adjective and is then declined. But it can also be used as an adverb to describe a verb, and then it remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Es war eine jahrzehntelange Freundschaft.
It was a decades-long friendship.
Typical collocations
Common nouns combined with 'jahrzehntelang' (decades-long / for decades) are 'Erfahrung' (experience), 'Tradition' (tradition), 'Suche' (search), or 'Freundschaft' (friendship). Typical verbs are 'arbeiten' (to work), 'warten' (to wait), or 'sammeln' (to collect).
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen blickt auf eine jahrzehntelange Tradition zurück.
The company looks back on a decades-long tradition.
Compare with
jahrzehntelang vs jahrelang
for years
'jahrelang' and 'jahrzehntelang' both describe a very long duration. 'jahrelang' means that something lasts for several years. 'jahrzehntelang' is stronger and means several decades, that is, many times ten years. The words can be confused because they look similar and both express a long time. If it is only about a few years, 'jahrelang' fits. If something lasts for very many years or almost an entire lifetime, 'jahrzehntelang' is more precise.
jahrzehntelang
Frau Lange arbeitet jahrzehntelang in derselben Schule.
Ms. Lange works in the same school for decades.
jahrelang
Finn spart jahrelang Geld für seine große Reise.
Finn saves money for years for his big trip.
In real life
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