Kindlein

Kindlein is a German diminutive form of the noun Kind, meaning "little child" or "dear child." It is used as an affectionate address for a child and can refer to one’s own child or to children in general. In everyday speech it is more literary or tender, and it commonly appears in lullabies, poetry, and older narrative prose.

Etymology and forms: Kindlein is built from Kind plus the diminutive suffix -lein. This suffix signals smallness or endearment. Variants include Kindlein and Kindchen; regional dialects may vary in pronunciation or spelling. In modern standard German Kindlein can sound poetic or archaic, while Kindchen is a more common nursery form in some contexts.

Cultural usage: The term is closely associated with lullabies and sentimental literature. A well-known example is the traditional lullaby Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf, which addresses a sleeping child. Beyond songs, Kindlein appears in poems, religious contexts, and family discourse as a warm, intimate noun for a child.

Related topics include German diminutives and lullabies.