01
das Mädchen
girl
A female child or adolescent.
example
Die beiden Mädchen spielen zusammen im Sandkasten.
The two girls are playing together in the sandbox.
das Mädchen
girl
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation and gender
The word 'Mädchen' (girl) is a diminutive form. The ending '-chen' makes every noun neuter, regardless of the gender of the person or thing. That is why the article is 'das'.
EXAMPLE
Das kleine Mädchen wartet auf seine Mutter.
The little girl is waiting for her mother.
Pronouns: grammar vs. logic
Although the noun is neuter ('das Mädchen' — the girl), the personal pronoun 'sie' (she), which matches the natural gender, is often used later in the sentence. Both are possible, but 'sie' is more common in spoken language.
EXAMPLE
Das Mädchen, das dort spielt, hat seine Jacke vergessen.
The girl who is playing over there has forgotten her jacket.
Register: outdated
Using 'mein Mädchen' (my girl) for one's own steady girlfriend is very rare today and sounds outdated. It can also be perceived as condescending.
EXAMPLE
Er stellte sie stolz als „sein Mädchen“ vor, was alle etwas seltsam fanden.
He proudly introduced her as 'sein Mädchen' (his girl), which everyone found a bit strange.
Compare with
Mädchen vs Frau
woman / wife
'die Frau' and 'das Mädchen' both refer to female people. The difference is age: a 'Frau' is an adult, while a 'Mädchen' is a child or adolescent. Learners may confuse the words because both are female. In German, however, you normally do not say 'Mädchen' for an adult person, unless it is very colloquial or inappropriate. In practice: for adults, you say 'Frau'; for children and often for adolescents, 'Mädchen'.
Mädchen
Das Mädchen fährt jeden Morgen mit dem Bus zur Schule.
The girl takes the bus to school every morning.
Frau
Bei der Bewerbung spricht die Frau ruhig über ihre Erfahrung.
During the job interview, the woman speaks calmly about her experience.
In real life
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