die Neunziger
nineties
Refers to a decade, especially the years from 1990 to 1999. It is usually used in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Techno war die prägende Musik der Neunziger.
Techno was the defining music of the nineties.
der Neunziger
nineties / nonagenarian
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Meanings
der Neunziger
nonagenarian
A person who is between 90 and 99 years old.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seines hohen Alters ist der rüstige Neunziger noch täglich spazieren gegangen.
Despite his advanced age, the spry nonagenarian still went for a walk every day.
Usage tips
Word formation pattern
Words like 'Neunziger' (nineties/nonagenarian) are derived from numbers (here: 'neunzig' = ninety). This pattern is used for all decades, such as 'die Achtziger' (the eighties), 'die Siebziger' (the seventies), and also for age groups, such as 'ein Sechziger' (a person in their sixties).
EXAMPLE
Die Musik der Neunziger ist heute wieder populär.
The music of the nineties is popular again today.
Plural vs. singular
You can recognize the meaning from the number: 'Die Neunziger' (the nineties), plural with the definite article, almost always means the decade. 'Ein Neunziger' (a nonagenarian), singular, refers to a person of that age.
EXAMPLE
In den Neunzigern gab es die ersten Mobiltelefone für alle.
In the nineties, the first mobile phones became available to everyone.
Use for the decade
When the decade is meant, the word is usually used with the preposition 'in' (in) and in the dative plural: 'in den Neunzigern' (in the nineties). Phrases like 'Anfang/Mitte/Ende der Neunziger' (at the beginning/middle/end of the nineties) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Anfang der Neunziger zog meine Familie in eine andere Stadt.
At the beginning of the nineties, my family moved to another city.
In real life
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