jaren

Jaren is the plural form of the Dutch noun jaar, meaning year. It refers to a span of time that consists of multiple consecutive years, or to years as calendar units within a larger period. In everyday use, the singular jaar is typically used with numerals to express duration (for example, drie jaar, tien jaar). The plural jaren is used when the years are considered as separate units or when talking about a named period or decade, such as de jaren negentig or de jaren twintig.

Etymology and form: Jaren comes from Middle Dutch jaren, from Proto-Germanic *jārą, cognate with the English year. The plural is formed with the -en suffix, yielding jaren. The definite plural is de jaren.

Grammar and usage notes: In phrases like in de komende jaren or de laatste jaren, jaren is common. In the contexts of decades, the plural form is standard, as in de jaren negentig or de jaren zestig. When referring to a precise duration, speakers more often use the singular jaar after a numeral (drie jaar, tien jaar), while jaren may emphasize the succession of individual years or a broader time frame.

Examples: Hij groeide op in de jaren vijftig. In de jaren negentig veranderde het internetlandschap. De komende jaren zal het bedrijf investeren in onderzoek.

See also: jaar; decades in Dutch (de jaren twintig, de jaren negentig).