der Nachkomme
descendant
A person who is descended from someone in a direct line; a child, grandchild, or later descendant.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein direkter Nachkomme eines berühmten Komponisten.
He is a direct descendant of a famous composer.
der Nachkomme
descendant
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'nach' (after) and the verb 'kommen' (to come). A 'Nachkomme' (descendant) is therefore literally someone who 'comes' after another person in the family line.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung zeigt Porträts der königlichen Familie und ihrer Nachkommen.
The exhibition shows portraits of the royal family and their descendants.
N-declension
'Nachkomme' (descendant) is a weak noun (N-declension). This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular. This also applies to the feminine form 'die Nachkommin' (female descendant).
EXAMPLE
Das Erbe wurde an den einzigen Nachkommen verteilt.
The inheritance was distributed to the only descendant.
Typical collocations
Descent is often expressed with the preposition 'von' (from/of). Typical adjectives are 'direkt' (direct), 'männlich' (male), or 'weiblich' (female).
EXAMPLE
Sie ist eine direkte Nachkommin von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
She is a direct female descendant of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Compare with
Nachkomme vs Kind
child
Both words can refer to one's own son or daughter, even when that person is an adult. „Kind“ emphasizes the immediate parent-child relationship and sounds neutral in everyday use. „Nachkomme“, on the other hand, more formally emphasizes direct descent. „Kind“ is usually appropriate in a family conversation, while „Nachkomme“ is more suitable in a description of ancestry.
Nachkomme
In der Familiengeschichte wird Paul als Annas Nachkomme genannt.
In the family history, Paul is named as Anna's descendant.
Kind
Für Anna ist Paul auch mit vierzig noch ihr Kind.
To Anna, Paul is still her child, even at forty.
In real life
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