Kinder
Kinder is the German word for "children".
Kinder is the plural form used to refer to more than one child.
Which one should you use?
While Kinder is the standard plural, you might encounter other terms: Kids is an informal way to say children, whereas Nachwuchs is a formal way to refer to offspring or progeny. For a more poetic or formal tone, one might use Sprösslinge, which translates to "young ones" or "budding individuals".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Germany and Austria, the colloquial term Racker is used to refer to energetic and lively children.
Did you know?
- The German language has a specific word, Kindertransport, to describe the organized rescue of thousands of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories before the start of World War II.
- While 'Kinder' is the plural for 'child', the singular form 'Kind' is actually a neuter noun. This means you must use the article 'das' instead of 'der' or 'die' when referring to a single child.
- In German, the term Kinderleicht is used to describe a task that is incredibly simple, literally meaning 'children-easy'.
Examples in context
- Tom und Maria verbrachten das Wochenende damit, auf den Kinder Scout im Peak District zu kraxeln und wieder herab.Tom and Mary spent the weekend scrambling up and down Kinder Scout in the Peak District.This sentence uses Kinder in the context of the specific name Kinder Scout.Tatoeba #11558685 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10081605 by sundown
- Tausende von Kinderüberraschungseiern wurden an die Strände der Insel Langeoog vor der deutschen Nordwestküste gespült.Thousands of Kinder surprise eggs washed up on the beaches of Langeoog island off Germany’s northwest coast.This sentence uses Kinder as part of the name for Kinder surprise eggs.Tatoeba #6128731 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5749820 by Hybrid
- Wie geht es den Kleinen?How are the little ones?
- Die Kinder spielen im Garten.The children are playing in the garden.
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are talking about their neighbors' family.
- HannahHaben die Nachbarn auch Kinder?Do the neighbors have children too?
- LukasJa, sie haben zwei Kinder.Yes, they have two children.
- HannahSind die Kinder sehr laut?Are the children very loud?
- LukasNein, sie sind sehr ruhig.No, they are very quiet.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
