How do I refer to a decade in Spanish.

Question

How do I refer to a decade in Spanish, such as the 1860s . I've been translating it up till now as "la década de 1860" but I would be surprised if this is correct. Thanks in advance for your answer.

Answer 1

Is correct to say: "En la década de los sesenta del diecinueve" y "Los años sesenta del diecinueve". Diecinueve lleva implícito, en español, que se refiere al siglo XIX.

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Is also correct, normal and the best chice, used abbreviation and contraction, like "s." like century: "En la décade de los sesenta del s. XIX" "En los años sesenta del s. XIX".

Answer 2

I'll add that this is one of the most common mistakes by English speakers learning Spanish. I always hear people saying things like "En los sesentas." This is wrong because, as Lazarus implied, the correct version is "los años sesenta," and "los sesenta" is an ellipsis of this, but foreigners see that plural "los" and just can't seem to help making the number plural as well.

I agree. "En los sesentaS" is a big mistake. - igual2, Mar 5, 2013

Answer 3

"La década de los sesenta (en el siglo XIX)" o "Los (años) sesenta (en el siglo XIX)".

Answer 4

Thanks lazarus.