The spelling of the word "lange" is somewhat unusual, as it contains three distinct vowel sounds. In International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) notation, the word would be transcribed as /læŋə/. The first syllable contains a short "a" sound, represented by the IPA symbol æ. The second syllable contains a long "a" sound, represented by the IPA symbol ɑ. The final syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, represented by the symbol ə. Despite its unusual spelling, the pronunciation of "lange" is relatively straightforward once you understand the unique combination of vowel sounds.
Lange is a German word that can be translated into English as "long." It is an adjective used to describe something that has an above-average length or duration. In terms of physical objects, lange typically refers to elongated or extended objects that have a greater length than usual. For instance, a lange Straße (long street) would be a road that stretches for an extended distance.
However, the term lange is not limited to physical objects alone. It can also be used to describe the length of time or duration of an event or action. For example, eine lange Zeit (a long time) signifies a period of time that is longer than average. Similarly, if someone were to say, "Das dauert zu lange" (that takes too long), they would be referring to an action or process that is prolonged and exceeds their desired time frame.
Overall, the word lange conveys the idea of length or duration, whether for physical objects, time, or events. It is a versatile term that allows German speakers to express the notion of "long" in various contexts, providing a succinct way of describing extended dimensions or extended periods of time.
The word "lange" has a Germanic etymology. It is derived from the Old High German word "lang", meaning "long". This word has cognates in other Germanic languages, like the Old English word "lang" and the Old Norse word "langr". Over time, "lang" evolved into "lange" in modern German.