das  Lebensjahr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleːbənʃjaːɐ̯/

⏳ What does 'das Lebensjahr' mean?

The word das Lebensjahr (noun, neuter) refers to a single year in a person's life. It is used to count and state age or a specific period within life, often in formal or official contexts.

It literally means “year of life”.

• Example: Im dritten Lebensjahr lernen Kinder oft sprechen. (In their third year of life, children often learn to speak.)
• Example: Er vollendete sein 70. Lebensjahr. (He completed his 70th year of life / He turned 70.)

⚠️ Attention: You say someone is “im dritten Lebensjahr” (in the third year of life) when they are two years old and have just started their third year. “Das dritte Lebensjahr vollenden” (to complete the third year of life) means turning 3 years old.

📊 Grammar: Declension of 'das Lebensjahr'

'Lebensjahr' is a neuter noun and is declined accordingly.

📝 Example Sentences

• Mit Vollendung des 18. Lebensjahres ist man in Deutschland volljährig.
  (Upon completion of the 18th year of life, one is of legal age in Germany.) (Genitive Singular)
• In seinen frühen Lebensjahren war er oft krank.
  (In his early years of life, he was often sick.) (Dative Plural)
• Sie tritt nächstes Jahr in ihr 40. Lebensjahr ein.
  (Next year, she enters her 40th year of life.) (Accusative Singular - 'in' + Accusative)
• Die ersten Lebensjahre sind prägend für die Entwicklung.
  (The first years of life are formative for development.) (Nominative Plural)

💡 How to use 'das Lebensjahr'?

'Das Lebensjahr' is mainly used to:

• State age precisely: Especially in official information, for milestones (e.g., Volljährigkeit - legal age, retirement), or in developmental psychology. Example: Voraussetzung ist die Vollendung des 16. Lebensjahres. (The prerequisite is the completion of the 16th year of life.)
• Describe a phase in life: Often referring to developmental stages or typical experiences at a certain age. Example: Im ersten Lebensjahr machen Babys enorme Fortschritte. (In the first year of life, babies make huge progress.)
• Formal language: It sounds more formal and precise than simply 'Jahr' (year). In everyday conversation, you'd more likely say: “Er ist 5 Jahre alt” (He is 5 years old) instead of “Er ist im sechsten Lebensjahr” (He is in his sixth year of life).

Comparison with 'Jahr': 'Jahr' is more general. 'Lebensjahr' specifically refers to a year in an individual's life.

Counting: The first Lebensjahr lasts from birth until the first birthday. For instance, if someone is 25 years old, they are im 26. Lebensjahr (in their 26th year of life).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Lebensjahr'

1. Article Mnemonic: Remember das Jahr (the year). The word 'Jahr' is neuter. Even with 'Leben' (life) in front, it remains the year of life → das Lebensjahr.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a timeline representing your Leben (life). Each segment on this line is a Jahr (year). One such segment is ein Lebensjahr.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Similar but different words:

• Die Jahreszeit (season): Refers to spring, summer, autumn, winter.
• Das Kalenderjahr (calendar year): Refers to the period from January 1st to December 31st.

😂 A little Joke

Lehrer: „Fritzchen, was ist der Unterschied zwischen dem 18. Lebensjahr und 18 Euro?“
Fritzchen: „Mit 18 Euro kann man länger feiern!“

Translation:
Teacher: "Fritzchen, what's the difference between the 18th year of life and 18 Euros?"
Fritzchen: "With 18 Euros, you can party longer!"

📜 A Short Poem

Ein jedes Lebensjahr, geschwind verrinnt,
bringt Neues, das von vorn beginnt.
Mal Freude, mal ein wenig Leid,
so formt uns die gelebte Zeit.
Von eins bis hundert, zählt es fort,
an diesem langen Lebensort.

Translation:
Each year of life, quickly slips away,
Brings new things that start the day.
Sometimes joy, sometimes a little pain,
Thus lived time shapes us again.
From one to hundred, count it forth,
At this long place of life on Earth.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich zähle die Zeit deines Seins,
von der Geburt an, Jahr für eins.
Man vollendet mich, wird älter dann,
wer bin ich wohl, sag's, wenn du's kannst!

Translation:
I count the time of your being,
From birth onwards, year by year, seeing.
You complete me, then grow older still,
Who am I then, say if you will!

Solution: Das Lebensjahr (The year of life)

🧩 Other Tidbits

Word Composition: The word 'Lebensjahr' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Das Leben: noun, neuter (life; Genitive: des Lebens)
• Das Jahr: noun, neuter (year)

The connecting 's' („Lebens-") links the two words. The article is determined by the base word 'Jahr', hence 'das Lebensjahr'.

Cultural Significance: Certain Lebensjahre often carry special cultural or legal significance in Germany (e.g., the 1st, 18th, 65th Lebensjahr).