to extend
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to extend
To extend the period of validity of something, such as a contract, subscription, or deadline, beyond the original end date.
Ich möchte meinen Vertrag um ein weiteres Jahr verlängern.
I would like to extend my contract for another year.
to lengthen
To make something longer in its physical extent.
Die Schneiderin kann das Kleid um fünf Zentimeter verlängern.
The tailor can lengthen the dress by five centimeters.
to get longer
To increase in duration or length.
Durch den Stau hat sich unsere Reisezeit erheblich verlängert.
Because of the traffic jam, our travel time got considerably longer.
The verb is derived from the adjective 'lang' (long). The inseparable prefix 'ver-' turns it into a verb that means 'länger machen' (to make longer). The prefix always stays attached to the verb.
Können Sie bitte meine Leihfrist für das Buch verlängern?
Could you please extend my loan period for the book?
When you want to indicate by how much something is extended or lengthened, you use the preposition 'um' followed by the accusative. This applies both to time and to lengths.
Er hat seinen Urlaub um eine Woche verlängert.
He extended his vacation by one week.
'Verlängern' (to extend) is often used for official documents or subscriptions. Typical nouns are: der Vertrag (the contract), das Visum (the visa), die Frist (the deadline), or das Abonnement (the subscription).
Ich muss dringend mein Visum verlängern lassen.
I urgently need to have my visa extended.
The reflexive form 'sich verlängern' (to get longer / to be extended) means that something becomes longer by itself. In contrast, 'etwas verlängern' (to extend/lengthen something) describes an active action.
Im Frühling verlängern sich die Tage wieder.
In spring, the days get longer again.
to renew
For a contract or subscription, both verbs can express continued validity. „Verlängern“ emphasizes that the existing term is continued beyond its end date. „Erneuern“ tends to suggest a new agreement or a new period of validity, especially when the old one is about to end.
Wir möchten den Mietvertrag vor seinem Ablauf um ein weiteres Jahr verlängern.
We would like to extend the lease by another year before it expires.
Wir müssen unseren bald ablaufenden Vertrag im nächsten Monat erneuern.
We have to renew our contract, which is about to expire, next month.
