German Phrase
Wie lange läuft der Mietvertrag?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the length of time a rental contract is valid. It can refer to the total term (e.g., 12 months) or the remaining time until it expires.
When to use
Use this question when you are negotiating a new apartment, reviewing an existing lease, or simply want to know how many months or years the contract will be in effect.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WielangeläuftderMietvertrag?
Wie lange
A fixed phrase meaning ‘how long’. It is used to ask about duration and is placed at the beginning of the question.
läuft (laufen)
In this context ‘laufen’ is used idiomatically to mean ‘to run/last’ (e.g., a contract runs for a certain period).
der Mietvertrag
A masculine noun meaning ‘the lease agreement’. The article ‘der’ shows it is in nominative case as the subject of the sentence.
Verb‑second (V2) word order
German main clauses place the finite verb in second position. The question word ‘Wie lange’ occupies the first slot, so the verb ‘läuft’ follows.
🗨In Conversation
Wie lange läuft der Mietvertrag?
How long does the lease run?
Er läuft zunächst für ein Jahr und kann danach um ein weiteres Jahr verlängert werden.
It runs for one year initially and can be extended for another year afterwards.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie lange ist der Mietvertrag?
‘Ist’ (to be) is less idiomatic here; German prefers ‘läuft’ when speaking about the duration of a contract.
Wie lange läuft die Mietverträge?
The singular ‘Mietvertrag’ is needed because you refer to one specific contract.
Wie lange läuft der Mietvertrag.
Missing the question mark or using a statement intonation can turn it into a statement rather than a question.
↔Alternatives
Wie lange ist der Mietvertrag?
How long is the lease?
Wie lange gilt der Mietvertrag?
How long is the lease valid?
Wie lange dauert der Mietvertrag?
How long does the lease last?
Cultural Tip
In Germany most rental contracts are either unlimited (until notice) or fixed for 12 months. When asking a landlord, it is polite to use the formal ‘Sie’: ‘Wie lange läuft der Mietvertrag, Frau Müller?’ Also, be aware that many contracts include a statutory notice period of three months, which can affect the effective duration.