{"id":94571,"date":"2024-04-17T13:53:56","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T17:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/long-german-words\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T06:18:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T10:18:58","slug":"long-german-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/long-german-words\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Absurdly Long German Words"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a German learner<\/a>, you already know (and love) just how weird German words<\/a> can get.<\/p>\n

So if you think you\u2019ve seen some long German words already, buckle up. Because we\u2019ll be going over a few doozies that you probably haven\u2019t encountered yet.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

How Do German Words Get So Long<\/h2>\n

In German, there are no noun clusters\u2014in other words, compound words and ideas are made by combining individual German words<\/a> into one linked chain.<\/strong> No space is required between these words. A good analogy would be to compare the entire word to a series of train tracks.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with an innocuous example: Handschuhe<\/em>, which means gloves. It\u2019s a combination of Hand<\/em> (hand) and Schuhe<\/em> (shoes). Okay, not too bad.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s move onto a more impressive specimen: Haust\u00fcrschl\u00fcssel<\/em>, which means house door key.<\/p>\n

There are three individual nouns: Haus<\/em> (house), T\u00fcr<\/em> (door) and Schl\u00fcssel<\/em> (key).<\/p>\n

It makes sense when you break it down and when everything is enunciated clearly, but if you were unfamiliar with the German language, then the word can just look like a garbled jumble of letters.<\/p>\n

German natives take great advantage of this language feature to sound succinct and exact, especially those involved in bureaucratic and political work. You\u2019ll see what I mean in the following list.<\/p>\n

Oftentimes in a giant German word, there\u2019s a letter or two (such as S or N) that are squeezed in between the individual words to aid with pronunciation.<\/p>\n

The 22 Longest German Words<\/h2>\n

Grundst\u00fccksverkehrsgenehmigungszust\u00e4ndigkeits\u00fcbertragungsverordnung<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 67
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Regulation on the delegation of authority concerning land conveyance permissions
\nWords:<\/strong> Grundst\u00fcck<\/em> (property) + Verkehr<\/em> (traffic\/communication) + Genehmigung<\/em> (approval) + Zust\u00e4ndigkeit<\/em> (authority) + \u00dc<\/em>bertragung<\/em> (delegation) + Verordnung<\/em> (ordinance)<\/p>\n

Watch out if you\u2019re ever thinking of getting into German real estate\u2014it likely means having to memorize this beast of a word.<\/p>\n

Siebenhundertsiebenundsiebzigtausendsiebenhundertsiebenundsiebzig<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 65
\nMeaning:<\/strong> 777,777<\/p>\n

Yes, using numbers is a bit of a cheat when it comes to making long German words. But hey, there may come a time when you owe 777,777 euros for some wild purchase. At that point, I\u2019d just say sieben<\/em> six times in a row rather than try to chew out this monster of a word.<\/p>\n

Rindfleischetikettierungs\u00fcberwachungsaufgaben\u00fcbertragungsgesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 63
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Beef labeling supervision duties delegation law
\nWords:<\/strong> Rindfleisch<\/em> (beef) + Etikettierung<\/em> (labeling) + \u00dcberwachung<\/em> (monitoring\/supervision) + Aufgabe<\/em> (duty) + \u00dcbertragung<\/em> (devolution\/transfer) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

This infamous word\u2014shortened to RkRe\u00dcA\u00dcG\u2014is the name of an actual regulation borne in 1999. Since the law was repealed in 2013, its name is now considered obsolete<\/a>. That doesn\u2019t mean it stopped haunting the minds of both German natives and language learners, though.<\/p>\n

Sozialversicherungsfachangestelltenauszubildender<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 49
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Social security assistant trainee
\nWords:<\/strong> Sozial<\/em> (social) + Versicherung<\/em> (protection\/security) + Fachangestellte<\/em> (assistant\/specialized employee) + Auszubildender<\/em> (apprentice)<\/p>\n

Seems like social insurance workers in Germany have even more work cut out for them. Chances are, an actual social security assistant wouldn\u2019t carry this whopper on their name tag unless it was the size of a posterboard.<\/p>\n

Hochleistungsfl\u00fcssigkeitschromatographie<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 40
\nMeaning:<\/strong> high performance liquid chromatography
\nWords:<\/strong> Hochleistung<\/em> (high performance) + Fl\u00fcssigkeit<\/em> (liquid) + Chromatographie<\/em> (chromatography)<\/p>\n

Seems like it\u2019s not just German lawmakers who can get the short (or long, technically) end of the vocabulary stick. This very real term is one familiar to chemists. In English, it\u2019s typically shortened to just HPLC.<\/p>\n

Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 39
\nMeaning:<\/strong> insurance companies providing legal protection
\nWords:<\/strong> Recht<\/em> (law) + Schutz<\/em> (protection) + Versicherung<\/em> (insurance\/protection) + Gesellschaften<\/em> (companies)<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, you’ll probably see this word more often than you think. Perhaps it won\u2019t be spoken often in typical conversation, but it can pop up from time to time within the text of important documents.<\/p>\n

Kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 36
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Motor vehicle liability insurance
\nWords:<\/strong> Kraftfahrzeug<\/em> (automobile) + Haftpflicht<\/em> (liability) + Versicherung<\/em> (insurance)<\/p>\n

Admittedly, this term is often shortened to Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung.<\/em> Yet in 2003, it was awarded the longest word in the German dictionary, known as the Duden<\/a>. So if you\u2019re in Germany and checking the market for a car, this term is critical to know.<\/p>\n

Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 34
\nMeaning:<\/strong> certification of debt freedom
\nWords:<\/strong> Miet<\/em> (rental) + Schulden<\/em> (debts) + Freiheit<\/em> (Freedom) + Bescheinigung<\/em> (certificate)<\/p>\n

This is one that every renter should know if they ever decide to move out to another space. It\u2019s basically a note from an ex-landlord confirming that the potential tenant has paid all rent on time.<\/p>\n

Arbeiterunfallversicherungsgesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 33
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Workers\u2019 compensation insurance act
\nWords:<\/strong> Arbeiter<\/em> (worker) + Unfall<\/em> (accident) + Versicherung<\/em> (insurance) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t kidding when I said German lawmakers are mostly responsible for the heftiest German words. As soon as you see the word Gesetz<\/em> at the end, you may be in trouble.<\/p>\n

This one is a must-know for any businesses and employers who need to protect their employees from workplace harm.<\/p>\n

Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 33
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Equal Opportunities of Person with Disabilities Act
\nWords:<\/strong> Behindert<\/em> (disabled) + Gleichstellung<\/em> (equality) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

Since its enactment in 2002, this important regulation covers the rights of the disabled and protects them from discrimination. It\u2019s often shortened to BGG.<\/p>\n

Bundesausbildungsf\u00f6rderungsgesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 33
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Federal Education and Training Assistance Act
\nWords:<\/strong> Bundes<\/em> (federal) + Ausbildung<\/em> (training\/education) + F\u00f6rderung<\/em> (funding) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

Shortened to BAf\u00f6G, this act was enacted in 1971 and created a government-based funding program for youths to pursue education and training for their professional goals.<\/p>\n

Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaft<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 33
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Danube Steamboat Shipping Company
\nWords:<\/strong> Donau<\/em> (Danube) + Dampfschiff<\/em> (steamboat) + Fahrt<\/em> (passage) + Gesellschaft<\/em> (company)<\/p>\n

A real shipping company created in 1829 by Austrian officials, the DDSG still exists today as two entities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rheinmaindonaugro\u00dfschifffahrtsweg<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 33
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Rhine-Main-Danube shipping lane
\nWords:<\/strong> Rhein<\/em> (Rhine) + Main<\/em> (Main) + Donau<\/em> (Danube) + Gro\u00dfschifffahrt<\/em> (heavy shipping) + Weg<\/em> (way)<\/p>\n

Another word related to the transport of goods over the ever-important Danube River! Even German folks aren\u2019t too pleased with how jumbled this word is\u2014it commonly includes hyphens to make its reading slightly easier, like so: Rhein-Main-Donau-Gro\u00dfschifffahrtsweg<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Nahrungsmittelunvertr\u00e4glichkeit<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 32
\nMeaning:<\/strong> food intolerance
\nWords:<\/strong> Nahrungsmittel<\/em> (foodstuffs) + Unvertr\u00e4glichkeit<\/em> (intolerance)<\/p>\n

A long word for something so vital for everyday life. Anyone with food allergies should learn this term before going into a German restaurant. Pay careful attention to that second half\u2014it can be quite hard to pronounce quickly, and this is one thing you don\u2019t want to mess up saying.<\/p>\n

Stra\u00dfenverkehrszulassungsordnung<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 32
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Road Traffic Licensing Regulation
\nWords:<\/strong> Stra\u00dfen<\/em> (streets) + Verkehr<\/em> (traffic) + Zulassung<\/em> (approval\/admission) + Ordnung<\/em> (order)<\/p>\n

Not to be rude, but for something that\u2019s supposed to be involved in regulating traffic, its name sure looks like its own alphabet traffic jam.<\/p>\n

Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 31
\nMeaning:<\/strong> life insurance company
\nWords:<\/strong> Leben<\/em> (life) + Versicherung<\/em> (insurance) + Gesellschaft<\/em> (company)<\/p>\n

Looking for life insurance in Germany? Have fun typing this into Google search!<\/p>\n

Steuerverg\u00fcnstigungsabbaugesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 31
\nMeaning:<\/strong> Tax Preference Reduction Act
\nWords:<\/strong> Steuer<\/em> (tax) + Verg\u00fcnstigung<\/em> (perk) + Abbau<\/em> (reduction) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

Thankfully, this behemoth can just be shortened to StVergAbG. Although, it visibly doesn\u2019t seem like much of an improvement, does it?<\/p>\n

Freundschaftsbeziehungen<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 24
\nMeaning:<\/strong> friendship relationships
\nWords:<\/strong> Freundschaft<\/em> (friendship) + Beziehungen<\/em> (relationship)<\/p>\n

A long, somewhat redundant word for a simple concept. If you value your friendship enough that you\u2019re willing to use this term to describe it, then I\u2019d wager you\u2019re a true friend indeed.<\/p>\n

Lebensabschnittspartner<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 24
\nMeaning:<\/strong> significant other \/ life partner
\nWords:<\/strong> Leben<\/em> (life) + Abschnitt<\/em> (stage) + Partner<\/em> (partner)<\/p>\n

Because how else would you refer to your lovely sir or madam? Such an important person deserves a wordy title (but really, you can just say Partner<\/em> if it\u2019s too much of a mouthful and I\u2019m sure he or she won\u2019t mind).<\/p>\n

Unabh\u00e4ngigkeitserkl\u00e4rung<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 24
\nMeaning:<\/strong> declaration of independence
\nWords:<\/strong> Unabh\u00e4ngigkeit<\/em> (independence) + Erkl\u00e4rung<\/em> (declaration)<\/p>\n

No doubt, your tongue might trip over those umlauts<\/a>. For a word that refers to a bold declaration, it can be incredibly easy to mispronounce if said out loud.<\/p>\n

Streichholzsch\u00e4chtelchen<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 24
\nMeaning:<\/strong> little box of matches
\nWords:<\/strong> Streichholz<\/em> (matchstick) + Sch\u00e4chtel<\/em> (box) + chen<\/em> (diminutive)<\/p>\n

A lot of harsh onslaught of sounds, all just to refer to a small matchbox. Maybe asking for a lighter would be a better option.<\/p>\n

Bet\u00e4ubungsmittelgesetz<\/em><\/h3>\n

Letter count:<\/strong> 23
\nMeaning:<\/strong> narcotics act
\nWords:<\/strong> Bet\u00e4ubungsmittel<\/em> (narcotics) + Gesetz<\/em> (law)<\/p>\n

This law\u2019s name is often shortened to BtMG. As it should be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In all seriousness though, I guarantee that the vocabulary you learn here will come into use one day. Or at the very least, these words will help you improve your German pronunciation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a German learner, I hope this post allured you even more to this wonderful language. And there’s even more interesting words to discover on our language learning program FluentU<\/a>.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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