δεκαετιών
Wordform Details
Translation: decade
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
femininepluralgenitiveIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: δεκαετία
Translation: decade; ten-year period (noun)
Etymology: Compound word from 'δέκα' (deka, meaning 'ten') and 'έτος' (etos, meaning 'year'). The English word 'decade' comes from Latin and Greek roots with the same meaning, making them cognates. While English borrowed 'decade' from Latin 'decas', both ultimately trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root *dekm- meaning 'ten'.
Mnemonics
- Think 'deka' (ten) + 'etia' (from 'etos' meaning year) = ten years
- Similar to 'decade' in English, which also means a period of ten years
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Often used in historical, political, and cultural discussions to refer to specific periods in Greek history, such as 'η δεκαετία του '80' (the 1980s), which has particular cultural significance in modern Greek society.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'δεκαετία' is a noun meaning 'decade', 'δεκαετής' is an adjective meaning 'ten-year-old' or 'lasting ten years'.
This word:
Πέρασε μια ολόκληρη δεκαετία από τότε που αποφοίτησα.
A whole decade has passed since I graduated.
Notes: The noun form refers to the time period itself, while the adjective form describes something that lasts for or is ten years old.
Mnemonic: 'δεκαετία' ends with '-ία' like many Greek nouns, while 'δεκαετής' ends with '-ής' like many adjectives.
Explanation: While 'δεκαετία' means a period of ten years, 'εκατονταετία' means a century or a period of one hundred years.
Confused word:
Γιορτάζουμε την εκατονταετία από την ίδρυση της πόλης.
We are celebrating the centenary of the city's founding.
Notes: Both terms follow the same pattern of combining a number with 'ετία' (from 'έτος', meaning 'year').
Mnemonic: 'δεκα-' means 'ten', while 'εκατοντα-' means 'hundred'.