die Dekade
decade
A period of ten years.
EXAMPLE
Die 1980er-Jahre waren eine musikalisch sehr prägende Dekade.
The 1980s were a very influential decade musically.
die Dekade
decade
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Meanings
die Dekade
decade
A group or unit consisting of ten parts. This meaning is rare and more technical.
EXAMPLE
Im alten französischen Revolutionskalender bestand ein Monat aus drei Dekaden.
In the old French Revolutionary calendar, a month consisted of three decades.
Usage tips
Word meaning
The word 'Dekade' (decade) comes from the ancient Greek word 'déka', which means 'ten'. This origin helps you remember that it refers to a group or period of ten.
EXAMPLE
Ein Jahrhundert besteht aus zehn Dekaden.
A century consists of ten decades.
Register and style
'Dekade' (decade) is often used in written language, for example in journalistic or historical texts. It often sounds somewhat more formal or academic.
EXAMPLE
Die Studie analysiert die Geburtenraten der letzten drei Dekaden.
The study analyzes the birth rates of the last three decades.
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'die letzte Dekade' (the last decade) or 'die kommende Dekade' (the coming decade). You can also use it for named decades, for example 'die Dekade der 90er-Jahre' (the decade of the 90s).
EXAMPLE
In der kommenden Dekade stehen große gesellschaftliche Veränderungen an.
Major social changes are coming in the next decade.
Context clue
The meaning 'Gruppe von zehn' (group of ten) is very rare. It occurs almost only in technical or historical texts. The context then makes it clear that it is not about years, but about countable units.
EXAMPLE
Der Rosenkranz ist in fünf Dekaden von je zehn Gebetsperlen unterteilt.
The rosary is divided into five decades of ten prayer beads each.
Compare with
Dekade vs Jahrzehnt
decade
Jahrzehnt and Dekade both refer to a period of ten years. Jahrzehnt is the usual choice in everyday language, while Dekade sounds more technical or formal. In a normal conversation, Jahrzehnt is therefore usually the better fit.
Dekade
Der Bericht untersucht die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung der vergangenen Dekade.
The report examines the economic development of the past decade.
Jahrzehnt
In diesem Jahrzehnt hat sich die Stadt stark verändert.
The city has changed considerably in this decade.
In real life
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