die
Tochter
👩👧 What does 'die Tochter' mean?
The German word die Tochter means daughter, referring to a female child in relation to her parents.
It exclusively uses the article 'die' because it refers specifically to a female person.
- Primary meaning: Female direct descendant.
- In a figurative sense, it can also refer to subsidiary companies (e.g., Die deutsche Tochter des Konzerns - The group's German subsidiary), although the specific terms 'Tochtergesellschaft' or 'Tochterfirma' are more common in this context.
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.
📚 Grammar of Tochter: An Overview
The noun 'die Tochter' is feminine. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | eine | Tochter |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | einer | Tochter |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | einer | Tochter |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | eine | Tochter |
Plural
The plural of 'Tochter' is 'Töchter'.
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Töchter |
| Genitive | der | Töchter |
| Dative | den | Töchtern |
| Accusative | die | Töchter |
Example Sentences 📖
- Die Tochter spielt im Garten. (The daughter is playing in the garden.)
- Das ist das Fahrrad der Tochter. (That is the daughter's bicycle.)
- Ich gebe der Tochter ein Buch. (I give a book to the daughter.)
- Er sieht die Tochter. (He sees the daughter.)
- Die Töchter gehen zur Schule. (The daughters go to school.)
- Die Meinung der Töchter ist wichtig. (The daughters' opinion is important.)
- Wir helfen den Töchtern bei den Hausaufgaben. (We help the daughters with their homework.)
- Die Eltern lieben die Töchter sehr. (The parents love the daughters very much.)
💬 How to use 'die Tochter'?
'Die Tochter' is mainly used in the context of family relationships.
- Everyday life: Talking about one's own daughter, or the daughter of friends or relatives. Meine Tochter hat Geburtstag. (My daughter has her birthday.)
- Formal/Official: In documents or forms to indicate family relationships.
- Figurative: As mentioned, it can refer to a subsidiary company. Die Münchner Tochterfirma erzielte gute Gewinne. (The Munich subsidiary achieved good profits.)
- Distinction: Compared to 'Mädchen' (a more general term for a girl or young woman), 'Tochter' always denotes the specific relationship to the parents.
⚠️ It's important to use the correct article 'die', as 'Tochter' is always feminine.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Tochter'
Article Mnemonic: Most female family members in German are feminine and take 'die': die Mutter (mother), die Oma (grandma), die Tante (aunt), die Schwester (sister) – and naturally, die Tochter. Think of the female line: 'die' for daughter.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a father affectionately calling his daughter, maybe mispronouncing it slightly like 'doter' - he 'dotes' on his daughter. 'Doter' sounds a bit like 'Tochter'.
↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms: Tochter
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Mädchen: (More general, doesn't imply parent-child relationship)
- Maid / Maidli: (Archaic or regional for young girl)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- der Sohn: (The son, male child of parents)
Related Terms
- die Enkelin: Granddaughter (The daughter of one's child).
- die Schwiegertochter: Daughter-in-law (The wife of one's son).
- die Stieftochter: Stepdaughter (The daughter of one's spouse or partner from a previous relationship).
- die Ziehtochter: Foster daughter (A female child raised as one's own, without being the biological parent).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt die Mutter ihre Tochter: „Warum weinst du denn?“
Antwortet die Tochter schluchzend: „Ich habe mir gerade die Haare gekämmt.“
Fragt die Mutter: „Und warum weinst du deswegen?“
„Weil du gesagt hast, ich soll es selber machen!“
English Translation: The mother asks her daughter: "Why are you crying?"
The daughter replies sobbing: "I just combed my hair."
The mother asks: "And why are you crying about that?"
"Because you told me I should do it myself!"
✍️ Poem about a Daughter
German:
Eine Tochter, hell und klar,
bringt Freude Jahr für Jahr.
Mit Lachen, das wie Sonne scheint,
ist sie mit Herz und Seel' vereint.
Ein Band so stark, so tief, so rein,
möge sie stets glücklich sein.
English Translation:
A daughter, bright and clear,
brings joy year after year.
With laughter that like sunshine gleams,
united heart and soul, it seems.
A bond so strong, so deep, so pure,
may she be happy evermore.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin weiblich, doch kein Mädchen nur allein,
denn zu Eltern hab ich einen Schein.
Mein Bruder nennt mich Schwester, das ist wahr,
für Mama und Papa bin ich immer da.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I am female, but not just any girl,
because to parents I belong in this world.
My brother calls me sister, it is true,
For Mom and Dad, I'm always there for you.
Who am I?
... Die Tochter (The Daughter)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The word 'Tochter' comes from Old High German 'tohtar' and has Indo-European roots with cognates in many languages (e.g., English 'daughter', Greek 'thygatēr').
- Diminutive: The diminutive form (expressing smallness or affection) is 'das Töchterchen'. Note the article changes to 'das' for diminutives ending in '-chen'.
- Cultural Significance: The role of the daughter has changed significantly over the centuries and varies across different cultures.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tochter?
The German word for 'daughter' is always feminine. The correct article is definitively die Tochter. There are no other articles for this word.