zeitlebens
throughout life
During one's whole life; from birth until death.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat zeitlebens in diesem kleinen Dorf gewohnt.
She lived in this small village throughout her life.
zeitlebens
throughout one's life
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
'Zeitlebens' (throughout one's life) is made up of the words 'Zeit' (time) and 'Leben' (life). It is a shortened form of the old genitive expression '(seiner) Zeit des Lebens', meaning 'during the time of one's life'.
EXAMPLE
Er blieb seiner Heimat zeitlebens treu.
He remained loyal to his homeland throughout his life.
Sentence position
As an adverb, 'zeitlebens' (throughout one's life) can stand in position 1; then the verb follows in position 2. It can also stand after the conjugated verb in the middle of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Zeitlebens hat er hart für seine Familie gearbeitet.
Throughout his life, he worked hard for his family.
Register and style
This adverb belongs more to written language or an elevated style. It is used less often in normal everyday conversation.
EXAMPLE
Die Künstlerin hat zeitlebens für ihre Anerkennung gekämpft.
The artist fought for recognition throughout her life.
Compare with
zeitlebens vs lebenslang
lifelong / life
Both words describe a duration covering a person's entire life. Lebenslang usually appears as an adjective with a noun and can also be used adverbially. Zeitlebens is only an adverb and often looks back on an entire life that has already been lived; this determines which form is used in practice.
zeitlebens
Er pflegte zeitlebens eine enge Freundschaft mit seinem Nachbarn.
Throughout his life, he maintained a close friendship with his neighbor.
lebenslang
Er hatte eine lebenslange Freundschaft mit seinem Nachbarn.
He had a lifelong friendship with his neighbor.
In real life
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