German Conversation · Level 25
90 words
German word
Wiege
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈviːgə/
Meaning
- feminine nouncradle
Example
Das Baby liegt in der Wiege.
The baby is lying in the cradle.
More examples
Die Stadt gilt als die Wiege der Demokratie.
The city is regarded as the cradle of democracy.
Core concept
A baby rests in a small rocking bed, which also evokes the first place that shelters and gives rise to something new.
Common phrases
in der Wiege
in the cradle
die Wiege der Demokratie
the cradle of democracy
Similar words
Babybett: A small, safety-focused bed designed for a newborn or very young infant.
Kinderbett: A larger bed intended for a toddler through the school years.
Definition in German
Kleines Schaukelbett für Babys; übertragen: die Geburtsstätte oder der ursprüngliche Ort von etwas.
Word origin
The noun Wiege developed within Germanic from a root associated with movement and rocking, then acquired its figurative sense of an origin or birthplace.
Usage tips
- In the figurative phrase die Wiege der Menschheit, Wiege takes a genitive phrase after it, meaning 'the cradle of humanity'.