01
das Schulmädchen
schoolgirl
A female child or teenager who attends school.
example
Eine Gruppe von Schulmädchen wartete lachend auf den Bus.
A group of schoolgirls waited for the bus, laughing.
das Schulmädchen
schoolgirl
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'die Schule' (school) and 'das Mädchen' (girl). So it literally describes a girl who goes to school.
EXAMPLE
Das Schulmädchen trug einen schweren Rucksack auf dem Rücken.
The schoolgirl carried a heavy backpack on her back.
Grammatical gender
Although it refers to a female person, the article is 'das' (neuter). This is because with compound nouns, the gender of the final word ('das Mädchen' — the girl) is always decisive.
EXAMPLE
Das Schulmädchen mit den roten Haaren las ein Buch.
The schoolgirl with the red hair was reading a book.
Register and usage
The term is mostly used for girls of elementary or middle-school age. It can sometimes sound slightly old-fashioned or diminutive, but it is basically neutral.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte handelt von einem neugierigen Schulmädchen in einer kleinen Stadt.
The story is about a curious schoolgirl in a small town.
Compare with
Schulmädchen vs Mädchen
girl
'das Mädchen' and 'das Schulmädchen' can both refer to a female child or adolescent. 'Mädchen' is more general and does not say whether the person goes to school. 'Schulmädchen' is more specific: it means a girl as a school pupil. The words can be confused because many girls also go to school. If school is important, 'Schulmädchen' fits better. If it is only about age or gender, 'Mädchen' is more natural.
Schulmädchen
Das Schulmädchen trägt morgens seinen Rucksack zur Bushaltestelle.
The schoolgirl carries her backpack to the bus stop in the morning.
Mädchen
Im Park spielt ein Mädchen mit einem roten Ball.
A girl is playing with a red ball in the park.
In real life
Loading video examples...