der
Enkel
👴 What does "der Enkel" mean?
The German word der Enkel refers to a male child of one's own son or daughter. In English, this is a grandson. It describes the family relationship between grandparents and their male descendant of the second generation.
It exclusively uses the masculine article der. The female equivalent is die Enkelin (granddaughter).
🚨 Attention: Sometimes the plural form "die Enkel" is used colloquially for a mixed group of grandsons and granddaughters, although "die Enkelkinder" (grandchildren) is more specific. However, the singular "der Enkel" always refers to a male person.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-el → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. there are many -el words, we don't list them all.
📜 Grammar of "der Enkel" in Detail
"Enkel" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Enkel | ein Enkel |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Enkels | eines Enkels |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Enkel | einem Enkel |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Enkel | einen Enkel |
Declension Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Enkel | keine Enkel / Enkel (no grandsons / grandsons) |
| Genitive | der Enkel | keiner Enkel / von Enkeln (of no grandsons / of grandsons) |
| Dative | den Enkeln | keinen Enkeln / Enkeln (to no grandsons / to grandsons) |
| Accusative | die Enkel | keine Enkel / Enkel (no grandsons / grandsons) |
💡 Application Examples
- Nominative: Der Enkel spielt im Garten. (The grandson is playing in the garden.)
- Genitive: Das ist das Fahrrad des Enkels. (That is the grandson's bicycle.)
- Dative: Oma gibt dem Enkel ein Geschenk. (Grandma gives the grandson a present.)
- Accusative: Opa besucht den Enkel heute Nachmittag. (Grandpa visits the grandson this afternoon.)
- Plural Nominative: Die Enkel kommen zu Besuch. (The grandsons are coming to visit.)
- Plural Dative: Die Großeltern lesen den Enkeln eine Geschichte vor. (The grandparents read a story to the grandsons.)
🗣️ How to use "Enkel"?
"Der Enkel" is primarily used in a family context to describe the relationship between grandparents and their male grandchild.
- Direct address/reference: Grandparents might affectionately refer to "meinem Enkel" (my grandson).
- General description: Talking about someone else's grandson: "Er ist der Enkel von Frau Müller." (He is Mrs. Müller's grandson.)
- In Plural: "Die Enkel" can refer to multiple grandsons or a mixed group. For a mixed group, "Enkelkinder" (grandchildren) is often more precise.
Related terms include:
- die Enkelin: granddaughter
- das Enkelkind: grandchild (gender-neutral, singular uncommon, plural "Enkelkinder" common)
- der Urenkel: great-grandson (male child of a grandson or granddaughter)
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Enkel"
Article Mnemonic: Think of a male relative like der Vater (the father) or der Großvater (the grandfather). These often end in '-er' and are masculine ('der'). Connect this to der Enkel, the male descendant.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine an old English word for ankle, perhaps 'enkel'. Picture a grandfather looking down fondly at his little grandson playing near his ankles. It's a stretch, but the sound connection might help some remember 'Enkel' means grandson.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
There are hardly any direct synonyms for "der Enkel" in standard German. Sometimes colloquial pet names are used, but no formal synonym.
- (regional/dated) der Enkelsohn (grandson - more explicit)
- (more neutral, if gender doesn't matter or is unknown) das Enkelkind (grandchild)
Antonyms (opposites):
The direct counterparts in the family relationship are:
- der Großvater / der Opa: grandfather
- die Großmutter / die Oma: grandmother
Other related, but not direct opposites:
- die Enkelin: granddaughter (female counterpart)
⚠️ Beware of confusion: Do not confuse with "der Onkel" (uncle - brother of a parent).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Enkel seine Oma: "Oma, kannst du mir Geld geben?"
Oma: "Wofür denn, mein Kleiner?"
Enkel: "Um mir einen Wunsch zu erfüllen!"
Oma: "Und welcher Wunsch wäre das?"
Enkel: "Ich wünsche mir, dass du mir Geld gibst!"
Translation:
The grandson asks his grandma: "Grandma, can you give me money?"
Grandma: "What for, my little one?"
Grandson: "To fulfill a wish!"
Grandma: "And what wish would that be?"
Grandson: "I wish that you would give me money!"
✍️ Poem about the Grandson
Der Enkel kommt, die Freud' ist groß,
sitzt bei Oma auf dem Schoß.
Mit strahlenden Augen, klein und fein,
bringt er ins Haus viel Sonnenschein.
Ein Lachen hier, ein Sprung geschwind,
geliebtes Enkelkind.
Translation:
The grandson comes, the joy is great,
Sits on Grandma's lap, seals his fate.
With shining eyes, small and fine,
He brings into the house much sunshine.
A laugh right here, a jump so fast,
Beloved grandchild, built to last.
❓ Riddle
Ich bin der Sohn von deinem Kind,
laufe schnell wie der Wind.
Für Oma und Opa bin ich ein Schatz,
hab im Herzen einen festen Platz.
Wer bin ich?
Lösung: der Enkel
Translation:
I am the son of your child,
Running fast like the wind, so wild.
For Grandma and Grandpa, I'm a treasure dear,
In their hearts, I hold a place so clear.
Who am I?
Solution: the grandson (der Enkel)
➕ Additional Information
- Word Origin: The word "Enkel" derives from the Old High German "eninchilī" (little ancestor/descendant). It is related to the word "Ahn" (ancestor).
- Feminine Form: The female form is "die Enkelin" (granddaughter).
- Neutral Plural Form: For a group of grandsons and granddaughters, "die Enkelkinder" (grandchildren) is often used.
- Generations: The 'Enkel' represents the second subsequent generation after a person.
Summary: is it der, die or das Enkel?
The word "Enkel" for a male grandchild is always masculine: der Enkel. The feminine form is die Enkelin (granddaughter).