01
der Säugling
infant
A child in the first year of life who is still mainly fed breast milk or formula.
example
Der Säugling schlief friedlich in seinem Bettchen.
The infant slept peacefully in his little bed.
der Säugling
infant
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Säugling' (infant) comes directly from the verb 'saugen' (to suck). It literally describes a living being that is still being nursed, that is, sucking milk. This origin makes the meaning of the word very clear.
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter gibt ihrem Säugling die Flasche.
The mother gives her infant the bottle.
Word family
'Der Säugling' (infant) belongs to a word family with 'säugen' (to nurse/feed a young animal with milk) and 'das Säugetier' (mammal, an animal that nurses its young). All these words share the stem connected with nourishment through milk.
EXAMPLE
Menschen, Wale und Hunde sind alles Säugetiere.
Humans, whales, and dogs are all mammals.
Register and style
'Säugling' (infant) is a rather formal, medical, or administrative term. It is often found in doctors' offices, on official documents, or in scientific texts about child development.
EXAMPLE
Im ersten Lebensjahr wird die Entwicklung des Säuglings genau beobachtet.
In the first year of life, the infant's development is closely monitored.
Compare with
Säugling vs Kind
child
'das Kind' and 'der Säugling' can both refer to a very young person. However, 'Kind' is a general word and works for many age groups. 'Säugling' is much more specific: it means a baby in the first year of life who is still fed milk. Learners may confuse the words because an infant is, of course, also a child. In everyday speech, people often say 'Baby' or 'Kind', but 'Säugling' sounds more precise and somewhat more formal, for example at the doctor's or in information for parents.
Säugling
Die Ärztin untersucht den Säugling besonders vorsichtig.
The doctor examines the infant especially carefully.
Kind
Am Nachmittag spielen die Kinder im Hof.
In the afternoon, the children play in the courtyard.
In real life
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