German Conversation · Level 90
60 words
German word
Männchen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈmɛnçən/
Meaning
- neuter nounmale
Example
Das Männchen hat bunte Federn.
The male has colorful feathers.
More examples
Ein dominantes Männchen verteidigt sein Revier.
A dominant male defends its territory.
Core concept
A tiny male figure, whether alive as an animal or made as a small toy, with size and male sex fused in one word.
Common phrases
dominantes Männchen
dominant male
junges Männchen
young male
territoriales Männchen
territorial male
Similar words
Mann: An adult male person.
Weibchen: A female animal or female individual.
Junge: A young boy or young male animal.
Kerl: A familiar, slightly rough term for a man.
Definition in German
Männchen ist die verkleinernde Form von Mann und bezeichnet häufig ein kleines männliches Tier oder eine kleine männliche Figur.
Word origin
The noun Männchen is formed from Mann and the diminutive suffix -chen, whose combination originally means 'little man'.
Usage tips
- Männchen is a diminutive noun and therefore has grammatical neuter gender, as in ein kleines Männchen, even when it denotes a male animal.