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 langjährig
long-standing
Langjährig and jahrzehntelang both describe a long duration. Langjährig characterizes a relationship or activity that has existed for many years, without implying several decades. Jahrzehntelang specifies the scale more precisely: the duration covers several decades.
jahrzehntelang
Nach dreißig gemeinsamen Jahren feiern sie ihre jahrzehntelange Zusammenarbeit.
After thirty years together, they are celebrating their decades-long collaboration.
langjährig
Nach zwölf gemeinsamen Jahren feiern sie ihre langjährige Zusammenarbeit.
After twelve years together, they are celebrating their long-standing collaboration.
In real life
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