das Kind
child, kid · offspring, son or daughter
Das Kind means 'child' or 'kid'. It is the standard word for a young person, used in both formal and informal contexts. Germans use it for one's own offspring or any young human, and it can also be used as a friendly address among adults.
What Kind means
- child, kid — a young human, from baby to teenager
- offspring, son or daughter — referring to someone's child regardless of age
Heard in real German videos
Lines where Kind was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Okay, Kinder, das geht eindeutig zu weit.Okay, kids, this is clearly going too far.
- Hattet ihr alle Spaß heute, Kinder?Did you all have fun today, kids?
- Die Kinder können im Wasser noch stehen.The children can still stand in the water.
Example sentences
- Das Kind spielt im Garten.The child is playing in the garden.
- Sie hat zwei Kinder.She has two children.
- Die Kinder gehen zur Schule.The children go to school.
- Er benimmt sich wie ein Kind.He behaves like a child.
Grammar
| Gender | neuter |
|---|---|
| Plural | die Kinder |
| Genitive | des Kindes / des Kinds |
| Declension | strong noun: Kind, Kindes, Kind, Kind; plural Kinder, Kinder, Kindern, Kinder |
In the dative plural, add -n: den Kindern.
Common phrases
- von Kind auffrom childhood
- sich wie ein Kind freuento be as pleased as a child
- das Kind beim Namen nennento call a spade a spade
- ein Kind seiner Zeita child of one's time
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often forget that Kind is neuter and say 'die Kind' or 'der Kind'. Always use 'das Kind'.
Don’t confuse it with
- das Baby — Baby refers specifically to an infant, while Kind covers a broader age range.
- der Jugendliche — Jugendliche means teenager or adolescent, older than a Kind.
Questions learners ask
What is the plural of Kind?
The plural is Kinder. Example: ein Kind, zwei Kinder.
Is Kind masculine, feminine, or neuter?
Kind is neuter: das Kind. The plural is die Kinder.
How do you say 'children' in German?
Children is 'Kinder' in German.