das Männchen
male
A male animal, especially when it is small or considered in contrast to a female.
EXAMPLE
Das Männchen des Guppys ist viel farbenprächtiger als das Weibchen.
The male guppy is much more colorful than the female.
das Männchen
male / little man
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Meanings
Männchen machen
to sit up
The action of an animal, often a dog or rodent, sitting on its hind legs and raising its upper body.
EXAMPLE
Unser Zwergkaninchen macht Männchen, wenn es Futter riecht.
Our dwarf rabbit sits up when it smells food.
das Männchen
little figure
A simple, schematic drawing of a human figure, often as a stick figure.
EXAMPLE
An den Rand seines Notizblocks hatte er lauter kleine Männchen gekritzelt.
He had scribbled lots of little figures in the margin of his notepad.
das Männchen
little man
A small man. This term can sound neutral as a diminutive or slightly condescending.
EXAMPLE
Ein seltsames Männchen mit einem viel zu großen Hut fragte nach dem Weg.
A strange little man with a hat that was much too large asked for directions.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Männchen' (little man/male) is the diminutive form of 'der Mann' (the man). The ending '-chen' makes the word neuter, so the article is 'das'.
EXAMPLE
Alle Nomen mit der Endung -chen sind sächlich, so auch „das Männchen“.
All nouns with the ending -chen are neuter, including 'das Männchen' (the little man/the male).
Context: animal world
This meaning is almost always used in a biological context for animals, often in direct contrast to 'das Weibchen' (the female animal).
EXAMPLE
Bei vielen Vogelarten ist das Männchen bunter als das Weibchen.
In many bird species, the male is more colorful than the female.
Fixed expression
The action in which an animal sits on its hind legs is expressed with the fixed phrase 'Männchen machen' (to sit up). The verb in this construction is always 'machen' (to make/do).
EXAMPLE
Unser Hund kann auf Kommando Männchen machen.
Our dog can sit up on command.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'Männchen' (little figure) is often combined with verbs such as 'zeichnen' (to draw), 'malen' (to paint/draw), or 'kritzeln' (to scribble). A very common form is 'das Strichmännchen' (the stick figure).
EXAMPLE
Das Kind malte ein Strichmännchen mit einem lachenden Gesicht.
The child drew a stick figure with a smiling face.
Register and style
When 'Männchen' (little man) is used for a man, it can sound condescending or derogatory. It often describes a person whom one does not take seriously or finds strange.
EXAMPLE
Da stand so ein komisches Männchen vor der Tür und wollte Geld.
There was some weird little man standing in front of the door asking for money.
Compare with
Männchen vs Mann
man
Mann refers to an adult male person without indicating anything about his size. Männchen can refer to a small man and may sound diminutive or slightly condescending. Mann is suitable as a normal, neutral term for a person; Männchen may be appropriate when the person’s small size or the speaker’s evaluative attitude is relevant.
Männchen
Vor dem hohen Tor steht ein winziges Männchen und wartet.
A tiny little man is standing in front of the tall gate and waiting.
Mann
Vor dem hohen Tor steht ein Mann und wartet.
A man is standing in front of the tall gate and waiting.
In real life
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