German word

Mädchen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɛːtçən/

Meaning

  • neuter noungirl

Example

Das Mädchen spielt im Park.

The girl is playing in the park.

Illustration for Mädchen (girl)

More examples

Ein Mädchen liest ein Buch.

A girl is reading a book.

Core concept

A young female figure pictured in a playground, classroom, or similar child-centered setting.

Common phrases

  • das Mädchen

    the girl

  • ein Mädchen

    a girl

Similar words

Kind: A child of any gender.
Frau: An adult female.
Junge: A young male child.
Tochter: A female child in relation to a parent.

Definition in German

Eine junge weibliche Person; in der Regel ein Kind oder eine Jugendliche.

Word origin

The older stem meit was combined with the diminutive suffix -chen to form Mädchen, and this suffix gives the noun neuter gender.

Usage tips

  • The plural is die Mädchen, with no ending added to Mädchen itself.

Other meanings

  • young ladynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Mädchenzimmergirl's roomnoun
  • Mädchennamegirl's namenoun

Word lists with this word