der Zwanziger
twenty
A banknote worth twenty units of currency, especially a 20-euro note.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir einen Zwanziger für den Parkautomaten wechseln?
Can you change a twenty for me for the parking meter?
der Zwanziger
twenty / twenties
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Meanings
die Zwanziger
twenties
The decade from 1920 to 1929 of a century, often referred to as 'the Golden Twenties.'
EXAMPLE
Die Kunst und Kultur der Zwanziger Jahre in Berlin war weltberühmt.
The art and culture of the twenties in Berlin was world-famous.
der Zwanziger
twentysomething
A person who is in the third decade of life, that is, between 20 and 29 years old.
EXAMPLE
Als Zwanziger sieht man die Welt oft noch mit anderen Augen.
As a twentysomething, you often still see the world with different eyes.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the number 'zwanzig' (twenty). This ending '-er' is often used in German to form nouns derived from numbers that refer to banknotes, decades, or age groups.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte einen Fünfziger, ich habe nur einen Hunderter.
Please give me a fifty; I only have a hundred.
Meaning through grammar
The article and the number (singular/plural) help you recognize the meaning. 'Der Zwanziger' in the singular usually refers to the banknote. 'Die Zwanziger' in the plural refers to the decade.
EXAMPLE
Hast du einen Zwanziger für den Kaffeeautomaten?
Do you have a twenty for the coffee machine?
Typical use
In everyday life, 'der Zwanziger' (the twenty) is often used in situations where you want to pay or change money. A typical question is: 'Kannst du mir einen Zwanziger wechseln?' (Can you change a twenty for me?).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe dem Taxifahrer einen Zwanziger gegeben.
I gave the taxi driver a twenty.
Fixed expression
The decade from 1920-1929 is often called 'die Goldenen Zwanziger' (the Golden Twenties). This expression refers to a time of economic upswing and cultural flourishing in many Western countries.
EXAMPLE
Der Film spielt im Berlin der Goldenen Zwanziger.
The film is set in the Berlin of the Golden Twenties.
Indicating age
To give a person's age roughly, people often use the phrases 'Anfang Zwanzig' (early twenties, about 20-23), 'Mitte Zwanzig' (mid-twenties, about 24-26), or 'Ende Zwanzig' (late twenties, about 27-29).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ihr Studium mit Mitte Zwanzig abgeschlossen.
She finished her studies in her mid-twenties.
In real life
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