01
langen
to suffice
To be available in a sufficient amount; to be enough.
example
Langen die Getränke für alle Gäste auf der Party?
Will the drinks suffice for all the guests at the party?
langen
to suffice / reach
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'langen' (to suffice/reach) is related to the adjective 'lang' (long). The basic idea is bridging a distance—whether with your arm to reach something, or in a figurative sense so that something is enough.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte die Butter langen? Ich komme nicht dran.
Could you please pass me the butter? I can't reach it.
Sentence structure: to be enough
In the meaning 'ausreichen' (to be enough) or 'genügen' (to suffice), 'langen' (to suffice) is often used with the subject 'es' (it), or the thing that is sufficient is the subject. It does not need an object.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben nur noch zwei Flaschen Wasser. Das langt nicht für alle.
We only have two bottles of water left. That won't suffice for everyone.
Sentence structure: to reach
In the meaning 'greifen' (to reach/grab), 'langen' (to reach) almost always appears with a preposition that indicates direction. The most common combination is 'nach' + dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie langte in ihre Tasche und holte den Schlüssel heraus.
She reached into her bag and took out the key.
Register and sentence structure
The meaning 'schlagen' (to hit) is very colloquial and is used as a threat. The structure is fixed: the person being hit is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Vater drohte dem frechen Jungen: „Wenn du das nochmal machst, lange ich dir eine!“
The father threatened the cheeky boy: 'If you do that again, I'll hit you!'
Compare with
langen vs reichen
to hand / to suffice
'reichen' and 'langen' can both mean that something is enough. 'reichen' is the normal, neutral word: you use it for time, money, food, or quality. 'langen' with this meaning is more colloquial and, in many situations, sounds southern German or regional. Learners may confuse the words because both are possible in sentences like 'Das Geld reicht/langt' (The money is enough). In standard German, 'reichen' is usually the safer choice.
langen
Für morgen langt der Vorrat noch, aber danach müssen wir einkaufen.
The supplies will still be enough for tomorrow, but after that we need to go shopping.
reichen
Das Geld reicht heute nur für ein einfaches Mittagessen.
Today the money is only enough for a simple lunch.
In real life
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