das Waisenkind
orphan
A child whose parents have died or who grows up without parents.
EXAMPLE
Das Waisenkind fand bei einer Pflegefamilie ein neues Zuhause.
The orphan found a new home with a foster family.
das Waisenkind
orphan
das Waisenkind, die Waisenkinder
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Waisenkind, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Waisenkinder |
| genitive | des Waisenkindes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Waisenkind | die Waisenkinder |
| accusative | das Waisenkind | die Waisenkinder |
| dative | dem Waisenkind | den Waisenkindern |
| genitive | des Waisenkindes des Waisenkinds | der Waisenkinder |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound words
'Waisenkind' is made up of 'Waise' (orphan) and 'Kind' (child). The first part describes the person's family situation, while the second refers to the person's age.
EXAMPLE
Im Roman erzählt ein Waisenkind von seinem schwierigen Leben.
In the novel, an orphan tells the story of their difficult life.
Typical collocations
Common phrases include 'ein Waisenkind aufnehmen' (to take in an orphan), 'sich um ein Waisenkind kümmern' (to look after an orphan), and 'einem Waisenkind ein Zuhause geben' (to give an orphan a home). The word is often used as an accusative object or after the preposition 'um'.
EXAMPLE
Die Familie nahm ein Waisenkind auf und kümmerte sich liebevoll um das Kind.
The family took in an orphan and lovingly looked after the child.
Social context
'Waisenkind' is particularly common in stories and in texts about foster families, children's homes, and child welfare. The word often describes a child's life story.
EXAMPLE
Im Bericht wird erklärt, wie das Waisenkind in einer Pflegefamilie aufwuchs.
The report explains how the orphan grew up in a foster family.
In real life
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