German word

Märchen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɛːɐ̯çən/

Meaning

  • neuter nounfairy tale

Example

Ich lese meinem Kind ein Märchen vor.

I'm reading my child a fairy tale.

Illustration for Märchen (fairy tale)

More examples

Das klingt wie ein Märchen.

That sounds like a fairy tale.

Core concept

A village tale populated by strange forces, simple choices, and consequences that reveal a lesson.

Common phrases

  • ein Märchen erzählen

    tell a fairy tale

  • ein Märchen vorlesen

    read a fairy tale aloud

Similar words

Geschichte: A narrative presenting events and people's experiences in their order.
Erzählung: A concise story focused on one unfolding chain of events.
Fabel: A moral tale in which animals act as the main characters.
Sage: A traditional tale from a region involving supernatural happenings or heroes.

Definition in German

Eine kurze, traditionelle Erzählung, meist mit phantastischen Elementen und einfacher Moral.

Word origin

The word developed from Middle High German mære, meaning tale or news, with the diminutive suffix -chen.

Usage tips

  • In colloquial German, ein Märchen can also mean an implausible or fabricated story, as in Das ist ein Märchen.

Other meanings

  • folk talenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • märchenhaftfairy-tale-likeadjective
  • Märchenbuchfairy-tale booknoun
  • Märchenerzählerfairy-tale storytellernoun

Word lists with this word