German word

Enkel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛŋkl̩/

Meaning

  • masculine noungrandson

Example

Ich habe einen Enkel.

I have a grandson.

Illustration for Enkel (grandson)

More examples

Am Sonntag verbrachte die Familie Zeit mit ihrem Enkel.

On Sunday, the family spent time with their grandson.

Core concept

A male child linked to a parent through that parent's son or daughter.

Common phrases

  • einen Enkel haben

    have a grandson

  • seinen Enkel besuchen

    visit his grandson

  • mit dem Enkel spielen

    play with the grandson

Similar words

Enkelin: A female child of one's son or daughter.
Enkelkinder: A group of grandchildren of any gender.
Urenkel: A child of one's grandchild, two generations below a grandparent.
Kind: A person's son or daughter, from early childhood through adulthood.

Definition in German

Der Sohn des eigenen Kindes.

Word origin

Enkel continues the older German forms eninchil and enkel, which belonged to the inherited Germanic vocabulary of family relationships.

Usage tips

  • Enkel is capitalized as a noun, and its plural is also Enkel, not Enkels.

Opposites

  • Ahneancestornoun
  • Vorfahreancestornoun

Related words

Word lists with this word