lifespan
die Lebensdauer, die Lebensdauern
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lifespan
The period of time that a person or animal lives, or that an object, especially a technical device, remains functional.
Die durchschnittliche Lebensdauer dieser Glühbirne beträgt 10.000 Stunden.
The average lifespan of this light bulb is 10,000 hours.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Lebensdauern |
| genitive | der Lebensdauer |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Lebensdauer | die Lebensdauern |
| accusative | die Lebensdauer | die Lebensdauern |
| dative | der Lebensdauer | den Lebensdauern |
| genitive | der Lebensdauer | der Lebensdauern |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Lebensdauer' (lifespan) is made up of 'das Leben' (life), the linking element '-s-', and 'die Dauer' (duration). So it literally means the 'duration of life.'
Moderne Smartphones haben oft nur eine kurze Lebensdauer.
Modern smartphones often have only a short lifespan.
To say whose lifespan is meant, you usually use the genitive or the preposition 'von' with the dative.
Die Lebensdauer eines Automotors hängt von der Pflege ab.
The lifespan of a car engine depends on maintenance.
Common adjectives are 'durchschnittlich' (average), 'erwartet' (expected), 'lang' (long), or 'kurz' (short). Typical verbs are 'haben' (to have), 'verlängern' (to extend), or 'verkürzen' (to shorten).
Regelmäßige Wartung kann die Lebensdauer Ihrer Waschmaschine verlängern.
Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your washing machine.
lifetime
Lebenszeit refers to the entire span of a person's life, but it can also mean the expected operating time of a product. Lebensdauer is likewise used for living things and objects and is especially appropriate in technical specifications. In technical contexts, the two words therefore overlap to a large extent.
Die technische Lebensdauer dieser Batterie beträgt etwa fünf Jahre.
This battery has a technical service life of about five years.
Die Lebenszeit dieser Batterie hängt stark von der Nutzung ab.
This battery's service life depends heavily on how it is used.
