hübsches Mädchen
The English phrase "pretty girl" is translated into German as hübsches Mädchen.
This phrase is used to describe a female child or a young woman who is attractive.
Which one should you use?
While hübsches Mädchen refers specifically to a girl or a young woman, the phrase hübsche Frau is used instead when referring to a pretty woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form hübsches Mädchen is used in the nominative and accusative cases, which serve as the subject or direct object of a sentence. When used with the indefinite article ein, the adjective takes the -es ending because Mädchen is a neuter noun. In the genitive case to indicate possession, the phrase changes to des hübschen Mädchens. In the dative case, used after certain verbs or prepositions, the phrase becomes einem hübschen Mädchen.
Did you know?
- The word Mädchen is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -chen to the word Magd, meaning 'maidservant'. In German grammar, any noun ending in -chen automatically becomes neuter regardless of the original word's gender.
- The word Mädchen is a relative of the English word 'maiden'. Both derive from an ancient Germanic root referring to a young woman.
- If you call a grown woman a Mädchen, it may sound condescending or infantilizing because the word is structurally a diminutive.
Examples in context
- Ist sie ein hübsches Mädchen?Is she a pretty girl?This sentence is useful for asking if a female is a hübsches Mädchen.Tatoeba #701857 by Vortarulo, translation #310695 by CK
- Was für ein hübsches Mädchen!What a pretty girl!This sentence is useful for an exclamation about a hübsches Mädchen.Tatoeba #2272521 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2270105 by _undertoad
- Du bist ein hübsches Mädchen.You are a pretty girl.This sentence is useful for telling someone they are a hübsches Mädchen.Tatoeba #10082149 by wolfgangth, translation #70128 by CK
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are looking at a photograph of a child.
- HannahSchau mal, sie ist ein sehr hübsches Mädchen.Look, she is a very pretty girl.
- MaximilianJa, sie sieht genau aus wie ihre Mutter.Yes, she looks exactly like her mother.
- HannahIch finde, sie ist ein wirklich hübsches Mädchen.I think she is a really pretty girl.
- MaximilianDas stimmt, sie ist sehr niedlich.That's true, she is very cute.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Mädchen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
