01
lang
long
Having a large spatial extent in one dimension.
example
Der Nil ist ein sehr langer Fluss.
The Nile is a very long river.
lang
long
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Postposed adverb
To describe movement along a route, 'lang' can stand after the noun. In this case, the noun is in the accusative. This word order is a special feature.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind die ganze Straße lang gelaufen.
We walked all along the street.
Context clue
Whether 'lang' describes a spatial distance or a duration of time can be recognized from the noun. Words like 'Weg' (path/way), 'Schlange' (line/queue), or 'Hals' (neck) point to a spatial meaning. Words like 'Zeit' (time), 'Tag' (day), or 'Woche' (week) point to a time-related meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Warteschlange vor dem Kino war sehr lang.
The line in front of the movie theater was very long.
Typical collocations
In connection with time, 'lang' is often combined with verbs like 'warten' (to wait), 'dauern' (to last/take), or 'suchen' (to search). A common expression is also 'ein Leben lang' (for a lifetime), to express that something applies forever.
EXAMPLE
Wie lange dauert der Flug von Berlin nach New York?
How long does the flight from Berlin to New York take?
Fixed expression
The idiom 'lang und breit' means 'very extensively' or 'in all details'. It is often used with verbs like 'erzählen' (to tell), 'erklären' (to explain), or 'diskutieren' (to discuss).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat mir lang und breit von ihrem Urlaub erzählt.
She told me about her vacation at great length.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'sich lang machen' is a colloquial and reflexive phrase. Depending on the context, it can mean 'hinfallen' (to fall down) or 'sich zum Ausruhen hinlegen' (to lie down to rest).
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass du auf dem Eis nicht hinfällst und dich lang machst!
Be careful not to fall and go sprawling on the ice!
Compare with
lang vs für
for
'für' and 'lang' can both express a duration. 'für' comes before the time expression and often states how long something is planned for, valid for, or lasts: 'für eine Woche' (for one week). 'lang' usually comes after the time expression and emphasizes the length of the duration: 'eine Woche lang' (for one week / one week long). The words are therefore easy to confuse, especially with expressions like 'zwei Tage' (two days). Often both are possible, but the sentence structure is different. You say 'für zwei Tage' or 'zwei Tage lang', not 'für zwei Tage lang' in simple standard sentences.
lang
Wegen des starken Regens warten wir fast eine Stunde lang auf den Bus.
Because of the heavy rain, we wait for the bus for almost an hour.
für
Am Morgen lernt ihr für eine Stunde neue Wörter.
In the morning, you learn new words for one hour.
In real life
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