das
Neugeborene
👶 What exactly is 'das Neugeborene'?
Das Neugeborene refers to a child immediately after birth, typically within the first four weeks of life. It's a nominalized adjective (derived from neu geboren - newly born) and is declined like an adjective.
The article das (the neutral 'the') is used when the child's gender is unknown, irrelevant, or when referring to the concept of 'newborn' generally. It corresponds to the neuter gender.
Although der Neugeborene (masculine) and die Neugeborene (feminine) also exist, we are focusing here on das Neugeborene as requested.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: das Neugeborene
As a nominalized adjective, das Neugeborene follows adjective declension rules. Since the definite article 'das' is given, the weak declension is used here.
Declension (Weak Declension with 'das')
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | das Neugeborene |
| Genitive | des Neugeborenen |
| Dative | dem Neugeborenen |
| Accusative | das Neugeborene |
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Neugeborenen (the newborns) |
| Genitive | der Neugeborenen (of the newborns) |
| Dative | den Neugeborenen (to/for the newborns) |
| Accusative | die Neugeborenen (the newborns) |
⚠️ Attention: Without an article or after an indefinite article ('ein' - a/an), the declension changes (strong or mixed declension).
Example Sentences
- Das Krankenhaus hat eine spezielle Station für Neugeborene. (The hospital has a special ward for newborns.)
- Die Pflege des Neugeborenen erfordert viel Geduld. (Caring for the newborn requires a lot of patience.)
- Die Hebamme kümmert sich liebevoll um das Neugeborene. (The midwife lovingly cares for the newborn.)
- Die Eltern beobachten stolz das Neugeborene im Schlaf. (The parents proudly watch the newborn sleeping.)
- Die Gesundheit der Neugeborenen wird sorgfältig überwacht. (The health of the newborns is carefully monitored.)
When do you say 'das Neugeborene'? 🗣️
The term das Neugeborene is often used in the following contexts:
- Medical/Biological Context: In hospitals, by doctors, or in scientific texts when referring to babies in their first weeks of life (e.g., Neugeborenen-Intensivstation - neonatal intensive care unit, Neugeborenen-Screening - newborn screening).
- Official Context: In official documents or statistics.
- General Usage: When speaking generally about a baby shortly after birth without emphasizing gender or when it's unknown.
In everyday, more emotional language, synonyms like Baby or Säugling are often preferred. Säugling (infant) refers to a child throughout its first year, while Neugeborenes specifically means the very first phase (approx. 4 weeks).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article 'das': Think of other neuter words for young beings: das Kind (child), das Baby, das Lamm (lamb)... and also das Neugeborene. The 's' in 'das' could stand for 'small' or 'sweet'! 😉
For the meaning: Break down the word: Neu (new) + geboren (born) + e (adjective ending). It's simply someone who was newly born.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
Antonyms (in a broader sense)
Direct antonyms are difficult. One can refer to developmental stages:
- Kleinkind (Toddler)
- Kind (Child)
- Jugendliche(r) (Adolescent/Teenager)
- Erwachsene(r) (Adult)
- Greis(in) / Senior(in) (Elderly person)
A possible but rare opposite could be Ungeborenes (unborn).
Similar Words (Beware of Confusion!)
😂 A Little Joke
Warum weinen Neugeborene so viel?
(Why do newborns cry so much?)
Weil sie neun Monate mietfrei gewohnt haben und jetzt plötzlich Miete in Form von Windeln zahlen müssen! 😄
(Because they lived rent-free for nine months and now suddenly have to pay rent in the form of diapers!)
📜 A Little Poem
Ganz klein und zart, die Welt ist neu,
das Neugeborene, ohne Scheu.
Winz'ge Finger, Augen klar,
ein Wunder, wahrhaft wunderbar.
Schläft friedlich, atmet sacht,
hat Liebe in die Welt gebracht.
(Tiny and tender, the world is new,
the newborn, without fear.
Tiny fingers, eyes clear,
a miracle, truly wonderful.
Sleeps peacefully, breathes softly,
has brought love into the world.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ganz frisch auf dieser Welt,
hab' noch kein Geld,
bin auf Mama und Papa angewiesen,
und werde oft mit Küssen gepriesen.
Ich schlafe viel und schreie manchmal laut,
bin grad erst aus dem Bauch getraut.
Wer bin ich?
(I'm brand new in this world,
have no money yet,
depend on Mom and Dad,
and am often praised with kisses.
I sleep a lot and sometimes cry out loud,
just recently emerged from the belly.
Who am I?)
(Answer: das Neugeborene / the newborn)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word is a nominalization (substantivization) of the past participle of gebären (to bear, give birth -> geboren - born) combined with the adverb neu (new).
neu (new) + geboren (born) + -e (ending for nominalized adjectives in neuter nominative/accusative singular with weak declension)
Related Terms
- Neugeborenenperiode: (Neonatal period) The first 28 days of life.
- Frühgeborene(s): (Premature baby) A child born before the completion of the 37th week of gestation.
- Erstgeborene(s): (Firstborn) The first child in a family.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Neugeborene?
The correct article for the general, gender-neutral word is das Neugeborene. It is a nominalized adjective referring to a baby in its first weeks of life and follows adjective declension rules.