Lang lebe der König
The German phrase for "long live the king" is Lang lebe der König.
This phrase is an exclamation used to express loyalty and to wish for the continued reign of a monarch.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lang (long), lebe (live, which is the subjunctive form of leben) and der König (the king).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to refer to an emperor instead of a king, you can replace der König with der Kaiser to say Lang lebe der Kaiser.
Did you know?
- The ancient root of König was so influential that it was borrowed into non-Germanic languages, becoming the Russian word князь ('knjazʹ').
- The phrase Lang lebe der König uses a specific verb form called the subjunctive to express a wish or a prayer rather than a statement of fact.
Examples in context
- Der König ist tot, lang lebe der König!The king is dead, long live the king!This sentence is useful for the phrase 'Der König ist tot, lang lebe der König!' using Lang lebe der König.Tatoeba #1244556 by Esperantostern, translation #1526486 by pauldhunt
- Lang lebe der König.Long live the King.Tatoeba #11135637 by SunnyMoon, translation #11135633 by SunnyMoon
- Der König ist tot. Lang lebe der König!The king is dead. Long live the king!Tatoeba #10854448 by carlosalberto, translation #10854429 by carlosalberto
- Bei dieser feierlichen Zeremonie rufen wir gemeinsam aus: "Es lebe der König!"At this solemn ceremony, we shout together: "Long Live the King!"
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are watching a coronation ceremony on TV.
- SarahDas ist ein beeindruckender Moment.That is an impressive moment.
- MaximilianJa, lang lebe der König!Yes, long live the king!
- SarahIch hoffe, er wird gerecht regieren.I hope he will rule justly.
- MaximilianDas glaube ich auch.I believe so too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries König, Lang, der, lang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
