zehnjährig
ten-year-old
Having an age of ten years.
EXAMPLE
Meine zehnjährige Nichte hat mir ein Bild gemalt.
My ten-year-old niece drew me a picture.
zehnjährig
ten-year-old / ten-year
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Meanings
zehnjährig
ten-year
Having a duration of ten years.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer zehnjährigen Bauzeit wurde die neue U-Bahn-Linie endlich eröffnet.
After a ten-year construction period, the new subway line was finally opened.
Usage tips
Word formation
The adjective is made up of the number 'zehn' (ten) and the noun 'Jahr' (year). The ending '-ig' turns it into an adjective meaning 'lasting ten years' or 'ten years old'.
EXAMPLE
Die zehnjährige Freundschaft der beiden ist etwas Besonderes.
The two people's ten-year friendship is something special.
Context clue
The noun tells you whether age or duration is meant. If 'zehnjährig' (ten-year-old / ten-year) refers to a person or an animal, it is about age. If it refers to a thing, a process, or a period of time, it is about duration.
EXAMPLE
Ihr zehnjähriger Sohn geht in die vierte Klasse.
Her ten-year-old son is in fourth grade.
Use in a sentence
The adjective 'zehnjährig' (ten-year-old / ten-year) usually stands directly before a noun. Using it after a verb like 'sein' (to be) is grammatically correct, but it is less common in everyday speech and can sound formal.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein zehnjähriges Auto.
That is a ten-year-old car.
Productive pattern
The structure of 'zehnjährig' (ten-year-old / ten-year) is a typical pattern. You can form many similar adjectives with other numbers, such as 'fünfjährig' (five-year-old / five-year), 'zwanzigjährig' (twenty-year-old / twenty-year), or 'einjährig' (one-year-old / one-year).
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen feiert sein fünfzigjähriges Bestehen.
The company is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.
In real life
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