die
Cousine
👩👧👦 What does 'die Cousine' mean?
Die Cousine (also spelled Kusine) is a feminine noun referring to a female relative. Specifically, she is the daughter of a person's aunt or uncle.
It's a term for a relationship of the same degree as the parents' siblings.
- The male counterpart is der Cousin (the male cousin).
- There are no different meanings based on the article, as the word only takes 'die'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
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.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📐 Grammar of 'die Cousine' in Detail
'Die Cousine' is a feminine noun and follows the weak n-declension pattern (although this is usually not visible in the singular). Its grammatical gender is feminine.
| Case | Article | Word | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Cousine | the cousin |
| Genitive | der | Cousine | of the cousin |
| Dative | der | Cousine | to/for the cousin |
| Accusative | die | Cousine | the cousin |
| Case | Article | Word | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Cousinen | the cousins |
| Genitive | der | Cousinen | of the cousins |
| Dative | den | Cousinen | to/for the cousins |
| Accusative | die | Cousinen | the cousins |
Example Sentences in German
- Meine Cousine Anna kommt am Wochenende zu Besuch.
(My cousin Anna is visiting this weekend.) - Das Geschenk ist von meiner Cousine.
(The gift is from my cousin.) - Ich gehe mit meiner Cousine ins Kino.
(I'm going to the cinema with my cousin.) - Hast du deine Cousine schon angerufen?
(Have you called your cousin yet?) - Alle meine Cousinen leben in einer anderen Stadt.
(All my (female) cousins live in another city.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Cousine'
- General Usage: 'Cousine' is the standard and neutral term for the daughter of an uncle or aunt.
- Distinction: While 'der Cousin' is the male equivalent, 'die Cousine' is used exclusively for females. The older term 'Base' for a female cousin is rarely used today, except in very traditional or literary contexts.
- Formal vs. Informal: The word is common in both formal and informal settings. Sometimes, diminutives like 'Cousinchen' are used, especially within the family for younger cousins.
- Regional Differences: Its usage is consistent across German-speaking regions.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
- Remembering the Article: Think of other female family members: Die Frau (the woman), die Tante (the aunt), die Schwester (the sister)... and also die Cousine. Most female relationship terms are feminine. Imagine YOUR (female) cousin smiling when you think of 'Die'.
- Remembering the Meaning: The word 'Cousine' sounds a bit like the English word 'cozy' or the French 'cuisine' (kitchen). Imagine having a cozy chat with your female cousin, perhaps meeting her in the kitchen ('Küche') at family gatherings. "Where is my Cousine? Oh, she must be in the Küche again."
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Kusine: An alternative, slightly older spelling.
- Base: An archaic term for female cousin, rarely used today.
⚠️ Similar, potentially confusing words:
- Cousin (der): The male equivalent. Pay attention to the gender and the article!
😄 A Little Joke
Kleiner Max fragt seine Mutter: "Mama, ist meine Cousine eigentlich auch mit mir verwandt?"
Mama: "Ja, natürlich, Max. Sie ist die Tochter deiner Tante."
Max: "Komisch, mit Papa ist sie aber nicht verwandt!"
Translation:
Little Max asks his mother: "Mom, is my cousin actually related to me too?"
Mom: "Yes, of course, Max. She's your aunt's daughter."
Max: "That's weird, she's not related to Dad though!"
📜 Poem about the Cousine
Die Cousine, fern, doch nah,
Ist bei Festen immer da.
Man teilt Lachen, manchmal Tränen,
Kann sich aufeinander lehnen.
Kindheitsfreundin, Stück Familie,
Mit ihr blüht die Lebenslilie.
Translation:
The cousin, distant, yet near,
Is always present at celebrations here.
Sharing laughter, sometimes tears,
Can lean on each other through the years.
Childhood friend, piece of family,
With her, life's lily blooms freely.
🧩 A Riddle for You
Ich bin die Tochter deiner Tante,
oder deines Onkels Kind, das anerkannte.
Nicht deine Schwester, doch verwandt mit dir geschwind.
Wer bin ich, sag es mir, mein Kind?
Translation:
I am the daughter of your aunt,
or your uncle's child, that's acknowledged grant.
Not your sister, but related to you fast.
Who am I, tell me now, my child, at last?
Solution: die Cousine (the female cousin)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The word 'Cousine' comes from French ('cousine'), which in turn derives from the Latin word 'consobrinus'/'consobrina' (child of the mother's sister). It has become established in German.
- Capitalization: As a noun, 'Cousine' is always capitalized in German.
- Degrees of Relationship: Cousins (male and female) are considered fourth-degree relatives under canon law or third-degree relatives under Roman (civil) law.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Cousine?
The word 'Cousine' is a feminine noun, so it always takes the article 'die'. There is only this one form: die Cousine (plural: die Cousinen).
