das  Kind

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɪnt/

👶 What does "das Kind" mean?

The noun "das Kind" (neuter gender) generally refers to a young human being in the stage of life between birth and puberty. It can refer to both a boy and a girl.

• Main meaning: young person, offspring, child
• Biological sense: direct descendant (son or daughter), regardless of age. "Er ist mein Kind." (He is my child.)
• Figurative sense: Sometimes used to express naivety or immaturity (often in compounds like "Kindskopf" - childish person).

🚨 Important: Although it can refer to boys and girls, the article is always das.

📐 Grammar of "das Kind" in Detail

"Das Kind" is a noun of neuter gender (sächliches Geschlecht). It follows the strong declension pattern.

💡 Example Sentences

• Das Kind spielt im Garten. (The child is playing in the garden. - Nominative Singular)
• Die Spielsachen des Kindes liegen überall. (The child's toys are lying everywhere. - Genitive Singular)
• Ich gebe dem Kind einen Apfel. (I give an apple to the child. - Dative Singular)
• Siehst du das Kind dort drüben? (Do you see the child over there? - Accusative Singular)
• Die Kinder lachen laut. (The children are laughing loudly. - Nominative Plural)
• Das ist das Haus der Kinder. (That is the children's house. - Genitive Plural)
• Wir helfen den Kindern bei den Hausaufgaben. (We help the children with their homework. - Dative Plural)
• Der Lehrer lobt die Kinder. (The teacher praises the children. - Accusative Plural)

🗣️ How to use "das Kind"?

"Das Kind" is a very common word in German.

• Everyday language: Frequently used when talking about young people, whether in the family, at school, or generally. "Die Kinder sind heute im Zoo." (The children are at the zoo today.)
• Offspring: Refers to one's own descendants, even if they are adults. "Meine Kinder wohnen jetzt in einer anderen Stadt." (My children live in another city now.)
• Diminutives: The diminutive forms are "das Kindchen" and "das Kindlein" (little child). They often sound affectionate or endearing.
• Idioms: There are many fixed expressions, e.g., "Kind und Kegel" (kith and kin / the whole family), "das Kind beim Namen nennen" (to call a spade a spade / address something directly), "ein Kindskopf sein" (to be childish/immature).
• Distinction: While "das Kind" is gender-neutral, "der Junge" (boy) and "das Mädchen" (girl) specifically denote male and female children, respectively. Note that Mädchen is also neuter!

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Kind"

Remembering the Article 🤔

Think of a child as not yet fully 'defined' like a man (der) or a woman (die). It's something neutral, general – hence das Kind. The neuter article das fits this indefinite, still developing stage. Also, many diminutives in German are neuter (like Mäd-chen, Kind-chen), and 'Kind' itself feels like a base category.

Remembering the Meaning 💡

The German word Kind sounds very similar to the English word "kind". Children are often (or should be) perceived as innocent and kind. Alternatively, think of a "Kindergarten" – a garden full of children (Kind is singular, Kinder is plural).

🔄 Similar & Opposite Words for "das Kind"

⚠️ Potential Confusion:

Although not very similar in sound, don't confuse das Kind (child) with das Rind (cattle, bovine).

😄 A Little Joke

German:
Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir drei berühmte Könige!"
Fritzchen: "Der Erlkönig, der Zaunkönig und der Lebkuchenkönig!"

English Translation:
Teacher: "Fritzchen, name three famous kings!"
Fritzchen: "The Erlking (Elf King from Goethe's poem), the Wren (bird, literally 'fence king'), and the Gingerbread King!"

📜 Little Poem about 'das Kind'

German:
Das Kind, so klein, mit Lachen rein,
Entdeckt die Welt, bei Sonnenschein.
Mit Augen groß, so voller Fragen,
Wird's Mut und Wissen in sich tragen.
Das Kind, ein Wunder, Tag für Tag,
Ein neuer Schritt, was kommen mag.

English Translation:
The child, so small, with laughter pure,
Discovers the world, in sunshine's lure.
With eyes so wide, full of query,
Will carry courage and knowledge, truly.
The child, a wonder, day by day,
A new step forward, come what may.

❓ A Riddle for You

German:
Ich bin klein, manchmal laut,
Hab' auf Mama und Papa vertraut.
Ich lerne laufen, sprechen, seh'n,
Und werde bald zur Schule geh'n.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I am small, sometimes loud,
I have trusted Mom and Dad in the crowd.
I learn to walk, speak, and see,
And soon I'll go to school, you agree.

Who am I?
(Answer: das Kind / the child)

✨ Interesting Facts about "das Kind"

• Etymology: The word Kind comes from Old High German "kind" and is related to the English word "kin" (relatives).
• Compound Words: "Kind" is part of many compound nouns, often related to central aspects of life:
  • Kindergarten (children's garden - kindergarten)
  • Kindheit (childhood)
  • Kindergeld (child benefit money)
  • Kinderzimmer (children's room)
  • Kinderspiel (child's play - something very easy)
  • Wunderkind (wonder child, prodigy)
  • Findelkind (foundling)
• Cultural Significance: The concept of the child and childhood has changed significantly throughout history and varies across cultures.