Langjähriger

Langjähriger is a German adjective meaning long-standing or lasting for many years. It is used to describe people, institutions, memberships, or relationships that have existed or persisted over an extended period. It connotes continuity and loyalty rather than mere age. Examples include ein langjähriger Mitarbeiter (a longtime employee), eine langjährige Kundin (a long-time customer), and langjährige Freunde (longstanding friends).

Grammatical notes: langjährig is written as a single word and inflects like a regular adjective. Before a masculine singular noun with the indefinite article you say ein langjähriger Mitarbeiter; with the definite article: der langjährige Mitarbeiter. Feminine singular: die langjährige Kundin; neuter singular: das langjährige Mitglied. Plural: die langjährigen Mitarbeiter (with definite article) or langjährige Mitarbeiter (without article). The same pattern applies to feminine nouns: die langjährigen Kundinnen, die langjährigen Freundinnen, and so on.

Usage and nuance: the term emphasizes duration over many years and is commonly used for people (employees, clients, friends) as well as for memberships or affiliations. It often conveys a sense of loyalty, stability, or established history. It is not primarily a statement about a person’s age, but about the length of a relationship or association.

Nominalization and related forms: in typical prose, langjährig remains an attributive adjective. It is rarely used as a noun; when a noun form is needed, one would usually rephrase (for example, der Langjährige as a stylistic or journalistic nominalization, which is uncommon in ordinary usage).