to extend
Loading your saved state.
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.
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.
length
'die Länge' and 'verlängern' are related in meaning because both have to do with being longer or becoming longer. 'die Länge' is a noun and describes size or duration. 'verlängern' is a verb and describes an action or change: you make something longer or make it last longer. Learners may confuse them because both words contain 'lang' (long). The grammar is important: you measure or state the Länge, but you verlängern a deadline, a contract, or a cable.
Frau Becker verlängert die Leihfrist, weil sie das Buch noch nicht fertig gelesen hat.
Mrs. Becker extends the loan period because she has not finished reading the book yet.
Selma hat im Sommer die Länge des Gartens genau gemessen.
In summer, Selma measured the length of the garden exactly.