01
achtzig
eighty
The cardinal number 80, which comes between 79 and 81.
example
Meine Großmutter feiert nächste Woche ihren achtzigsten Geburtstag.
My grandmother is celebrating her eightieth birthday next week.
achtzig
eighty
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The number 'achtzig' (eighty) is made up of the base word 'acht' (eight) and the ending '-zig'. This ending is used for most multiples of ten in German (e.g., 'fünfzig' (fifty), 'sechzig' (sixty)).
EXAMPLE
Das Buch hat achtzig Seiten.
The book has eighty pages.
Number order
With two-digit numbers like 'dreiundachtzig' (83), German names the ones digit first ('drei' (three)) and then the tens digit ('achtzig' (eighty)), connected with 'und' (and).
EXAMPLE
Mein Opa ist fünfundachtzig Jahre alt.
My grandpa is eighty-five years old.
Use for decades
To refer to the decade from 1980 to 1989, you use the phrase 'in den Achtzigern' (in the eighties). This can also refer to a person's age.
EXAMPLE
In den Achtzigern war diese Art von Kleidung sehr modern.
In the eighties, this kind of clothing was very fashionable.
Compare with
achtzig vs acht
eight
'acht' and 'achtzig' are both numbers and sound similar, but they mean very different quantities. 'acht' is the number 8; 'achtzig' is the number 80. Learners may confuse them when listening, especially when people speak quickly. Pay attention to the ending '-zig': it turns a ones number into a tens number. With prices, times, ages, or quantities, the difference is very important.
achtzig
Die Mitarbeiterin hat achtzig Euro aus der Kasse gezählt.
The employee counted eighty euros from the cash register.
acht
Herr Hoffmann hat acht Stühle für den Kurs vorbereitet.
Mr. Hoffmann prepared eight chairs for the course.
In real life
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