der
Säugling
👶 What does "der Säugling" mean?
The term der Säugling refers to a child in its first year of life, i.e., an infant or baby. The name derives from the verb saugen (to suckle), as drinking from the mother's breast or a bottle is the main source of nutrition.
There is only this one meaning, and the article is always der (masculine).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ling → always masculine.
Caution: Words ending in '-ling' are always masculine, but words ending in '-ing' are usually neutral, like 'das Marketing'.
🧐 Grammar of "Säugling" in Detail
"Säugling" is a masculine noun. It is declined as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | der | Säugling |
| Genitive (Gen.) | des | Säuglings |
| Dative (Dat.) | dem | Säugling |
| Accusative (Acc.) | den | Säugling |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Säuglinge |
| Genitive | der | Säuglinge |
| Dative | den | Säuglingen |
| Accusative | die | Säuglinge |
Example Sentences
- Der Säugling schläft friedlich in seinem Bettchen. (The infant is sleeping peacefully in its little bed.)
- Die Entwicklung des Säuglings wird vom Kinderarzt überwacht. (The infant's development is monitored by the pediatrician.)
- Die Mutter gibt dem Säugling die Flasche. (The mother gives the bottle to the infant.)
- Der Arzt untersucht den weinenden Säugling. (The doctor examines the crying infant.)
- Im Wartezimmer saßen mehrere Mütter mit ihren Säuglingen. (Several mothers were sitting in the waiting room with their infants.)
🗣️ How to use "Säugling"?
The term "Säugling" is often used in medical, biological, or official contexts. It precisely denotes the age group from birth to the end of the first year of life.
- Medical context: Die Ernährung des Säuglings ist entscheidend für seine Entwicklung. (The infant's nutrition is crucial for its development.)
- Official context: Auf dem Formular muss das Alter des Kindes (Säugling/Kleinkind) angegeben werden. (The child's age (infant/toddler) must be stated on the form.)
- Biological context: Der Säugling verfügt über angeborene Reflexe. (The infant has innate reflexes.)
In everyday language, the word Baby is used more frequently, which is considered more informal and emotional. "Säugling" sounds a bit more detached and technical.
⚠️ Potential confusion: A Neugeborenes is a child in the first four weeks of life (newborn). A Kleinkind is a child aged approximately one to three years (toddler). "Säugling" covers the entire first year.
💡 Mnemonics for "der Säugling"
Article mnemonic: Think: Der little guy (der Säugling) needs der attention (even though attention is 'die Aufmerksamkeit', think of 'der' for the masculine baby). Or: Imagine the (der) king was once an infant (Säugling).
Meaning mnemonic: The word comes from saugen (to suckle). A Säugling is a being that still saugt (suckles) - either breast or bottle.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
- Baby: The most common and informal synonym.
- Neugeborenes: Specific term for the first ~4 weeks (newborn).
- Wickelkind: Dated term, emphasizes wearing diapers (nappy child).
- Busenkind: Dated, emphasizes breastfeeding (bosom child).
- (Colloquial/Cute): Würmchen (little worm), Knirps (little one - often for slightly older babies/toddlers)
Similar but potentially misleading words:
- Säuger/Säugetier: Refers to the biological class (Mammalia), not specifically an infant (mammal).
😂 A little joke
Warum weinen Säuglinge so oft?
Weil sie Milchallergie haben – gegen alles, was keine Milch ist! 😉
(Why do infants cry so often?
Because they have a milk allergy – against everything that isn't milk! 😉)
📜 A little poem
Der Säugling, klein und zart,
beginnt des Lebens Fahrt.
Er saugt und schläft und lacht,
hat Mama Glück gebracht.
Die Welt ist neu und groß,
liegt sicher auf dem Schoß.
(The infant, small and tender,
begins life's journey.
It suckles and sleeps and laughs,
has brought Mum happiness.
The world is new and vast,
lies safely on the lap.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich kann noch nicht laufen, nicht sprechen, kaum seh'n,
muss Milch aus der Flasche oder Brust mir erfleh'n.
Im ersten Jahr bin ich meistens gemeint,
auch wenn man oft "Baby" sagt, wie es scheint.
Wer bin ich?
(I cannot walk yet, nor speak, barely see,
I must implore for milk from bottle or breast, you agree.
In the first year, I'm usually meant,
though often called "Baby", it seems evident.
Who am I?)
(Solution: der Säugling)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Säugling" is composed of:
- The verb stem of saugen (to suckle).
- The suffix -ling. This suffix is often used to denote young creatures (e.g., Frischling - young boar, Schmetterling - butterfly) or people with a certain characteristic (e.g., Feigling - coward, Liebling - darling).
Trivia: The term "Säuglingssterblichkeit" (infant mortality rate) is an important indicator of the health status and social conditions of a population.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Säugling?
The word "Säugling" means infant (a baby in its first year) and is always masculine. The correct form is: der Säugling.