sechzehnte
/ˈzɛçtseːntə/
The English phrase "sixteenth" is translated into German as sechzehnte.
sechzehnte is the ordinal form of the number sixteen. If you are referring to the fraction one-sixteenth (1/16), use the noun Sechzehntel instead.
Meaning: the ordinal form of the number sixteen (adj)
Which one should you use?
sechzehnte refers to the ordinal position (16th), whereas Sechzehntel refers to the fraction one-sixteenth.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form sechzehnte is the weak declension used when the ordinal number is preceded by a definite article, such as der sechzehnte. In contrast, the form sechzehnter is used in the nominative masculine singular when there is no preceding article, for example in the phrase mein sechzehnter Geburtstag.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɛçtseːntə/
Did you know?
- In a legal context, the 16th birthday is significant because it marks the age of beschränkte Geschäftsfähigkeit, or limited legal capacity, in Germany.
- When writing the 16th as a date, Germans use a period sechzehnte. instead of the 'th' used in English, which serves as the ordinal marker.
- While sechzehnte is the ordinal, the German number system is strictly additive, meaning 16 is literally 'six-ten' sechszehn, unlike the 'teen' suffix in English.
Examples in context
- Heute ist mein sechzehnter Geburtstag.Today is my sixteenth birthday.This sentence uses sechzehnte to describe a birthday.Tatoeba #1265921 by Vortarulo, translation #242865 by CN
- Die Wahl fand am sechzehnten Mai statt.The vote took place on May sixteenth.This sentence uses sechzehnte to indicate a specific date in May.Tatoeba #1157070 by Vortarulo, translation #804327 by Source_VOA
- Diese Statue stammt aus dem sechzehnten Jahrhundert.This statue dates from the sixteenth century.This sentence uses sechzehnte to refer to a century.Tatoeba #10335266 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10358020 by sundown
- der sechzehnte Tag des MonatsThe sixteenth day of the month
- Er wurde als das sechzehnte Mitglied des Vorstands ernannt.He was appointed as the sixteenth member of the board.
- Die Veranstaltung findet am sechzehnten April statt.The event will take place on the sixteenth of April.
- Ich sehe dich am sechzehntenI'll see you on the sixteenth
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are looking at a list of winners in a race.
- SarahWer ist die sechzehnte Läuferin?Who is the sixteenth runner?
- FelixDas ist eine junge Frau aus Berlin.That is a young woman from Berlin.
- SarahIst sie die sechzehnte Person im Ziel?Is she the sixteenth person at the finish line?
- FelixJa, genau.Yes, exactly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sixteenth” translations and entries sechzehnte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
