lange
long
Over a long period of time; for a considerable amount of time.
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten lange auf den nächsten Bus warten.
We had to wait a long time for the next bus.
lange
long
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Meanings
lange nicht
far from
By no means; intensifies a negation or emphasizes a large difference. It is also often used with “noch” (still).
EXAMPLE
Die neue Wohnung ist lange nicht so teuer wie die alte.
The new apartment is nowhere near as expensive as the old one.
lange her sein
to be a long time ago
To lie far in the past; to have happened a considerable time ago.
EXAMPLE
Unser letztes Treffen ist schon lange her.
It has been a long time since our last meeting.
Usage tips
Context clue
“Lange nicht” can express a period of time or intensify a negation. In a comparison with “so … wie” (as … as), it usually emphasizes the difference; when referring to past events, it often describes the time that has passed without the event.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meine Cousine lange nicht gesehen.
I haven’t seen my cousin in a long time.
Asking about duration
“Wie lange” (how long) asks about the duration of an action or state. The answer can include a specific time expression.
EXAMPLE
Wie lange dauert die Fahrt zum Flughafen?
How long does the journey to the airport take?
Typical collocations
Common collocations include “lange dauern” (to take a long time), “lange warten” (to wait a long time), and “lange brauchen” (to need a long time). With “lange brauchen”, a clause with “um … zu” (in order to …) can state which activity takes the time.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe lange gebraucht, um diese Aufgabe zu lösen.
It took me a long time to solve this task.
Noch lange nicht
The expression “noch lange nicht” (still far from) often comes before “fertig” (finished), “genug” (enough), or “alles” (everything). It emphasizes that a limit or goal is clearly far from being reached.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben schon viel geschafft, aber das ist noch lange nicht genug.
We’ve already accomplished a lot, but that is still far from enough.
Clause with dass
In the pattern “Es ist lange her, dass …” (It has been a long time since …), the dass-clause names the past event. The verb in this subordinate clause comes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Es ist lange her, dass wir zusammen im Urlaub waren.
It has been a long time since we went on vacation together.
In real life
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