lebenslang
lifelong
Something that applies or lasts for the entire duration of a person's life.
EXAMPLE
Er erhielt eine lebenslange Garantie auf das Produkt.
He received a lifelong warranty on the product.
lebenslang
lifelong / life
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Meanings
lebenslang
life
In a legal context, describes a prison sentence that in principle lasts until the convicted person's death. In Germany, this means a minimum prison term of 15 years before suspension on probation can be considered.
EXAMPLE
Der Mörder wurde zu lebenslanger Haft verurteilt.
The murderer was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Leben' (life), the linking element '-s-', and 'lang' (long). So it literally means 'for a life long' and is therefore easy to understand.
EXAMPLE
Sie verband eine lebenslange Freundschaft.
They were connected by a lifelong friendship.
Adjective or adverb
'Lebenslang' can stand before a noun as an adjective or function as an adverb referring to a verb. As an adverb, it is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Er bekam eine lebenslange Haftstrafe.
He received a life sentence.
Typical collocations
In its general meaning, 'lebenslang' (lifelong) is often connected with abstract concepts, such as 'lebenslanges Lernen' (lifelong learning), a 'lebenslange Aufgabe' (lifelong task), or a 'lebenslange Freundschaft' (lifelong friendship).
EXAMPLE
Gute Gesundheit ist eine lebenslange Aufgabe.
Good health is a lifelong task.
Legal context
In a legal context, the combination with 'Haft' (imprisonment) or 'Freiheitsstrafe' (custodial sentence/prison sentence) is most common. The phrase 'zu lebenslang verurteilt' (sentenced to life) is also often used.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte wurde zu lebenslang verurteilt.
The defendant was sentenced to life.
Compare with
lebenslang vs Lebenszeit
lifetime
Auf Lebenszeit is a fixed prepositional phrase and describes a duration lasting until the end of a person’s life. Lebenslang expresses the same duration as an adjective or adverb. The choice therefore mainly depends on the sentence structure: ein Recht auf Lebenszeit, but ein lebenslanges Recht.
lebenslang
Sie erhielt ein lebenslanges Wohnrecht.
She was granted lifelong rights to live in the property.
Lebenszeit
Sie erhielt das Wohnrecht auf Lebenszeit.
She was granted the right to live in the property for life.
In real life
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