German word

Nichte

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɪçtə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounniece

Example

Ich gebe der Nichte ein Geschenk.

I am giving my niece a present.

Illustration for Nichte (niece)

More examples

Wir bringen die Nichte heute früh ins Bett.

Today, we are putting the niece to bed early.

Core concept

A sibling's daughter stands one generation below the speaker's brother or sister on the same family tree.

Common phrases

  • auf die Nichte aufpassen

    care for the niece

  • die Beziehung zur Nichte pflegen

    maintain one's relationship with one's niece

  • die Nichte ins Bett bringen

    put the niece to bed

Similar words

Neffe: A son of a sibling.
Tochter: A parent's daughter.
Cousine: A female cousin who is the child of a parent's sibling.

Definition in German

Die Tochter des Bruders oder der Schwester.

Word origin

The German noun comes through Middle High German niftel from Old High German niftila, a historical diminutive related to Neffe.

Usage tips

  • In Ich gebe der Nichte ein Geschenk, der Nichte marks the dative recipient after geben, while ein Geschenk is the accusative object.

Opposites

Related words

  • Stiefnichtestepniecenoun

Word lists with this word