Before you start asking yourself if German is easy to learn, first of all, we want to congratulate you.

German is such an amazing and unique language, perhaps not among the easiest languages to learn, but well, which one is easy, right?

One thing, however, that any German learner fears and something the language is famous for are (too) long German words.

When it comes to the longest words, German is probably the winner.

And when we add the specific pronunciation, the situation becomes almost impossible for German students.

Or perhaps not?

Because we understand your fears and struggles, in the following lines, we’ve collected the 30 long German words so that you can learn their meanings, when to use them, and, more importantly, how to pronounce them.

But now, let’s dive into the world of long German words.

Why Are German Phrases So Long?

Thanks to the determinative compounds, in German, ling words are made of smaller ones.

At first sight, they seem really hard but when you get into the whole grammar thing, you can see that besides the logic that follows these words, they aren't that complex.

For example, in English, you also have some determinative compounds, such as 'hairdresser – a dresser of hair' or 'notebook – a book for notes.'

Like in English, in German too, the first word gives you more information on the second. More precisely, the first word determines the second. This is exactly how long German words are built.

In German, words like these consist mainly of two to three words.

However, in law and administration, people like to make even more compound words so it seems like they want to compete to see who will make the longest word.

19 Long German Words to Help You Master Your German Pronunciation

• Arbeiterunfallversicherungsgesetz

This 31-letter word is actually one of the German tongue twisters, ideal for practicing pronunciation. In English, it can be translated as the ‘Worker Accident Insurance Act.’

• Backpfeifengesicht

Even though to you it is a pretty long word, in German, with ‘only’ 18 letters, it is actually one of the shorter ones. This word can be translated as ‘a face in need of a fist.’

• Betäubungsmittelverschreibungsverordnung

Now, this is something really Germanic. Will you count the letters or should we tell you? Perhaps to save your time so that you can focus on other things, the word has 40 letters and can be translated as ‘Narcotics Prescription Ordinance.’

• Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän

With 41 letters, this word’s meaning is ‘Danube steamship company captain.’ Can you pronounce it quickly? 

• Freundschaftsbeziehungen

A 24-letter word now seems like a piece of cake, doesn’t it?

Besides, it isn’t so challenging to pronounce it? Or perhaps it is?

It means ‘the bond of friendship’.

• Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung

No, this isn't a sentence, it is a single word! It means Real Estate Movement Permit Transfer of Responsibility Ordinance, and with 63 letters, it is one of the longest German words ever.

• Innerer Schweinehund

The literal translation of this word can be ‘inner pig dog’ but you can use it in contexts when you want to say ‘inner beast.’ In some situations, depending on the context, of course, it can also be translated as ‘the devil inside you.’

• Käsesalamipizzaabhängigkeit

Do you like pizza? Of course, you do! Who doesn't?

That yummy slice of cheese, pepperoni, ketchup, and co. altogether can make you addicted to it. Or at least in German, it is possible, especially with the ‘cheese and pepperoni pizza addiction word.’

• Kraftfahrzeug-Haftpflichtversicherung

In case you are in Germany and you need insurance, 'motor vehicle liability insurance is exactly what you need to know. Correct pronunciation of this 36-letter word is also necessary.

• Lebensabschnittpartner

Who says that German isn't the language of love? Even though it may seem a little harsh, there are many romantic German idioms about love.

Here's one, for example, with 22 letters in the meaning 'the person you are with today.'

• Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft

One more insurance!

You might think, why on Earth insurance have so long words?

We don't know exactly but we do know that in case you need life insurance, you have to memorize this 31-letter word. It can be translated as 'life insurance company.'

• Massenkommunikationsdienstleistungsunternehmen

You've surely used long German words but somehow you always get more and more surprised with how long they can actually be. The translation of the 'mass communication service company' consists of 46 letters, which can give you a pretty bad headache while you are trying to pronounce it, but it can be fun when you learn it to tease other people a bit.

• Mullautohintendraufsteher

It is likely that in everyday conversation you won't often use 'garbage collector at the back of the truck' but the word can be great practice to improve your pronunciation.

• Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit

The German word ‘Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit’ can be translated as ‘food intolerance.’ In everyday conversations, this topic became popular, so not only will you improve your German pronunciation but you will also use the word often.

• Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften

Once again, it is about insurance and once again, the word is among the longest ones. With 39 letters, ‘insurance companies providing legal protection’ isn’t something you will use every day, but you will use it now until you master your pronunciation.

• Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz

No, this is not a joke. It is a real word with 63 letters.

In case you need the phrase ‘Beef Labeling Supervision Task Transfer Act,’ you'd better start practicing to pronounce this word.

• Steuervergünstigungsabbaugesetz

We all know that law-related words and phrases can be complex in any language. So, in German, this comes like an everyday word. With 31 letters, this word has the meaning of ‘Tax Preference Relief Act.’

• Telekommunikationsdienstleistungsunternehmen 

Companies really have long names, but when it comes to a classic ‘telecommunication service company,’ even though it is pretty long, you should admit that the pronunciation isn't that hard as with some other words.

• Unabhängigkeitserklärungen

‘Independence Day in English is the whole phrase! In German, on the other hand, it is a 28-letter word. Anyway, no matter how challenging it can be for the pronunciation, it is always good to know this word.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the most creative, some of them even useful in everyday conversations, long German words.

Feel free to explore more of them so that you can practice your pronunciation.

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What are the longest words in German?

Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän, Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung, Käsesalamipizzaabhängigkeit, Lebensabschnittpartner

What is the meaning of donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft?

It's a meaningless example, it used to be a shipping company in Germany

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