Understanding 'Das Mädchen': The Neuter Diminutive in German

Learn why 'Das Mädchen' uses the neuter article in German and its diminutive origin.

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'Das Mädchen' is the appropriate term because in German, all diminutives take the neuter article 'das.' The word 'Mädchen' derives from 'Magd' or 'Maid,' meaning girl, and the suffix '-chen' is a diminutive that makes it neuter.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why is 'Das Mädchen' neuter in German? 'Das Mädchen' is neuter because all German diminutives take the neuter article, regardless of the original gender of the noun.
  2. What does the word 'Mädchen' mean in English? 'Mädchen' translates to 'girl' in English, deriving from the word 'Magd' meaning maid.
  3. How do diminutives work in the German language? In German, diminutives often use the '-chen' suffix, which always results in a neuter form.
  4. What are some other examples of German diminutives? Examples include 'Häuschen' (little house), 'Büchlein' (little book), and 'Fräulein' (young lady), all of which are neuter.