01
die Fünfziger
the fifties
The decade from 1950 to 1959.
example
In den Fünfzigern erlebte Deutschland das Wirtschaftswunder.
In the fifties, Germany experienced the economic miracle.
Fünfziger
fifties / fifty
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation pattern
The word is formed from the number 'fünfzig' (fifty) with the ending '-er'. This pattern is very productive and also works for other numbers, e.g. 'die Zwanziger' (the twenties / 1920s) or 'ein Zwanziger' (a 20-euro note).
EXAMPLE
Die Mode der Siebziger ist heute wieder populär.
The fashion of the seventies is popular again today.
Context clues
Articles and number help distinguish the meanings. 'Die Fünfziger' in the plural means the decade. 'Der/die Fünfziger/in' in the singular refers to a person. 'Der Fünfziger' in the context of money means the banknote.
EXAMPLE
Meine Großeltern haben in den Fünfzigern geheiratet.
My grandparents got married in the fifties.
Use for decades
When 'die Fünfziger' describes a decade, it almost always appears in the plural with the definite article. Common phrases are 'in den Fünfzigern' (in the fifties) or 'Anfang/Mitte/Ende der Fünfziger' (at the beginning/middle/end of the fifties).
EXAMPLE
Ende der Fünfziger Jahre reisten meine Eltern zum ersten Mal nach Italien.
At the end of the fifties, my parents traveled to Italy for the first time.
Describing age
To describe a person's age, you can say 'Er ist Fünfziger' (He is in his fifties). The plural phrasing 'Er ist in den Fünfzigern' (He is in his fifties) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist eine attraktive Fünfzigerin.
She is an attractive woman in her fifties.
Colloquial use
The term 'ein Fünfziger' for a 50-euro note is colloquial. It is used when shopping or when talking about money.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur noch einen Fünfziger im Portemonnaie.
I only have a fifty left in my wallet.
Compare with
Fünfziger vs fünfzig
fifty
'fünfzig' and 'Fünfziger' look similar and both have to do with the number 50. 'fünfzig' is the normal number: you use it for counting or for quantities, ages, and prices. 'Fünfziger' is a noun and, depending on the context, means a decade, a person between 50 and 59, or colloquially a 50-euro note. The words can be confused because 'Fünfziger' is formed from 'fünfzig'. As a simple guide: for the number itself, say 'fünfzig'; for a group, a decade, or a banknote, say 'Fünfziger'.
Fünfziger
An der Kasse bezahlte Maria mit einem Fünfziger.
At the checkout, Maria paid with a fifty.
fünfzig
Für den Ausflug brauchen wir fünfzig Euro.
We need fifty euros for the trip.
In real life
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