01
das Jahrzehnt
decade
A period of ten years.
example
In den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten hat sich die Technologie rasant entwickelt.
In the last two decades, technology has developed rapidly.
das Jahrzehnt
decade
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word 'Jahrzehnt' (decade) is easy to understand if you break it down: It consists of 'Jahr' (year) and 'zehn' (ten). So it literally means a period of ten years.
EXAMPLE
Ein Jahrzehnt ist eine lange Zeit im Leben eines Kindes.
A decade is a long time in a child's life.
Use with prepositions
'Jahrzehnt' (decade) is often used with the prepositions 'in' (in), 'seit' (since/for), or 'für' (for) to describe periods of time. Pay attention to the correct case, usually the dative.
EXAMPLE
In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat sich viel verändert.
In recent decades, a lot has changed.
Specific decades
To name a specific decade, a construction with a year or an event is often used. For example, 'das erste Jahrzehnt des 21. Jahrhunderts' (the first decade of the 21st century) or 'in den Jahrzehnten nach dem Krieg' (in the decades after the war).
EXAMPLE
Die Mode der 80er-Jahre erlebt gerade ein Comeback.
The fashion of the 80s is currently making a comeback.
Compare with
Jahrzehnt vs Jahr
year
'das Jahr' and 'das Jahrzehnt' both refer to periods of time, but they are different lengths. A year lasts twelve months. A decade lasts ten years. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with time and calendars. When talking about a single period from January to December or about a school year, 'Jahr' fits. When talking about a longer period of ten years, 'Jahrzehnt' is correct.
Jahrzehnt
In diesem Jahrzehnt hat sich unsere Stadt stark verändert.
In this decade, our city has changed a lot.
Jahr
Dieses Jahr möchte meine Kollegin weniger Überstunden machen.
This year, my colleague wants to work less overtime.
In real life
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