hour-long
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hour-long
Used as an adjective ending to indicate the duration of something in hours. It is almost always combined with a number or an indefinite numeral word (e.g., 'zweistündig' = two-hour, 'mehrstündig' = lasting several hours).
Nach einer mehrstündigen Diskussion konnten sie sich endlich einigen.
After a discussion lasting several hours, they were finally able to reach an agreement.
The ending '-stündig' (hour-long) is derived from 'die Stunde' (hour). It is attached to a number or quantity word to form an adjective that describes a duration of time. It cannot stand alone.
Die mehrstündige Wanderung war sehr anstrengend.
The hike lasting several hours was very exhausting.
This adjective is always combined with a number (e.g., 'ein-', 'zwei-', 'drei-') or an indefinite numeral word (e.g., 'mehr-', 'viel-') to form a single word. For example: 'einstündig' (one-hour), 'zweistündig' (two-hour), 'mehrstündig' (lasting several hours).
Wir machen eine zweistündige Mittagspause.
We are taking a two-hour lunch break.
The compound word (e.g., 'zweistündig' = two-hour) is declined like a normal adjective before a noun. It adjusts its ending to the gender, case, and number of the noun.
Nach einem zweistündigen Flug landeten wir in Madrid.
After a two-hour flight, we landed in Madrid.
for hours
Stundenlang and stündig both refer to a duration of several hours. Stundenlang usually describes an imprecise duration that is perceived as long, whereas stündig is almost always used with a number or numeral word to indicate a specific or limited duration. Use zweistündig for a precise duration; otherwise, stundenlang is often the better choice.
Die Sitzung war zweistündig und endete pünktlich um zwölf Uhr.
The meeting was two hours long and ended promptly at noon.
Die Sitzung dauerte stundenlang und schien kein Ende zu nehmen.
The meeting lasted for hours and seemed as though it would never end.
