sixties
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the sixties
The decade from 1960 to 1969. Often used to describe the culture, politics, and events of that time.
Die Musik der Sechziger hat eine ganze Generation geprägt.
The music of the sixties shaped an entire generation.
The word is derived from the number 'sechzig' (sixty) with the ending '-er'. This pattern is often used in German to refer to decades ('die Achtziger' — the eighties) or people in an age group ('ein Vierziger' — a person in their forties).
Die Mode der Siebziger war sehr auffällig.
The fashion of the seventies was very striking.
Context tells you whether the decade or a person is meant. Time expressions like 'in den Sechzigern' (in the sixties) or topics like music and politics point to the decade. If the word refers to a specific person, the age group is meant.
In den Sechzigern wurden viele soziale Reformen umgesetzt.
In the sixties, many social reforms were implemented.
To talk about the decade, the word is always used in the plural and usually with the definite article: 'die Sechziger' (the sixties). A very common phrase is 'in den Sechzigern' (in the sixties), used to place events in time.
Meine Eltern haben sich in den Sechzigern kennengelernt.
My parents met in the sixties.
When 'Sechziger' describes a person, it can be used in the singular ('ein Sechziger' — a man/person in his/their sixties) or plural ('zwei Sechziger' — two people in their sixties). It is a common, slightly informal way to talk about a person's age.
Er ist Anfang Sechziger und plant, bald in Rente zu gehen.
He is in his early sixties and plans to retire soon.
In a sports context, especially in Munich and Bavaria, 'die Sechziger' informally refers to the football club TSV 1860 Munich. Outside this regional and thematic context, this meaning is unusual.
Mein Vater ist seit seiner Kindheit ein Fan der Sechziger.
My father has been a fan of the Sixties since childhood.
sixty
'sechzig' and 'Sechziger' are both connected to the number 60, but they are used differently. 'sechzig' is simply the number 60 or the age of 60. 'die Sechziger' usually means the years from 1960 to 1969. 'ein Sechziger' or 'eine Sechzigerin' can also mean a person between 60 and 69 years old. The words can be confused because they sound similar. For the simple number, you say 'sechzig'; for a decade or a group of people, you say 'Sechziger'.
In den Sechzigern trugen viele Menschen andere Kleidung als heute.
In the sixties, many people wore different clothes than today.
David hat in der Bibliothek sechzig Seiten für die Prüfung gelesen.
David read sixty pages in the library for the exam.