German word

stundenlang

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtʊndn̩ˌlaŋ/

Meaning

  • adverbfor hours

Example

Wir haben stundenlang am Strand gesessen.

We sat on the beach for hours.

Illustration for stundenlang (for hours)

More examples

Sie hat stundenlang gelesen.

She read for hours.

Core concept

A single activity fills many successive hours of the day.

Common phrases

  • stundenlang lesen

    read for hours

  • stundenlang fernsehen

    watch TV for hours

  • stundenlang reden

    talk for hours

Similar words

lange: Lasting a long time without specifying how long.
tagelang: Lasting over several days.
wochenlang: Lasting over several weeks.

Definition in German

Eine andauernde Zeitspanne von mehreren Stunden ausdrückt.

Word origin

The transparent compound joins Stunden, the plural of Stunde, with lang ('long') and uses the result for a duration measured in hours.

Usage tips

  • Stundenlang does not give an exact number of hours; an exact duration can be stated with drei Stunden or drei Stunden lang.

Other meanings

  • for hours on endadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • stündlichhourlyadjective
  • stundenweiseby the houradverb
  • Stundenlohnhourly wagenoun

Word lists with this word