Mädchen

Mädchen is a German noun meaning a girl or a young female person, typically a child or adolescent. In German grammar it is neuter, with the definite article das Mädchen, even though it refers to a female. The plural form is die Mädchen. The word incorporates the diminutive suffix -chen, a common German affix that often yields neuter gender and signals a smaller or younger referent.

Usage of the term generally covers girls from infancy up to adolescence. For adult women, other terms such as Frau or junge Frau are usually used, depending on the context. In informal or regional speech, Mädel is a common synonym for a girl, often with a casual or rustic nuance; its tone can be affectionate or rough, depending on context and speaker.

Etymology and linguistic notes: Mädchen derives from historic Germanic roots linked to words meaning maid or girl, with the diminutive -chen contributing to its contemporary form. The neuter gender of das Mädchen reflects a broader pattern in German where diminutive nouns often take neuter articles, regardless of the referent’s natural gender. In cultural contexts, the term appears in literature, media, and everyday language as the standard word for female children and teenagers in German-speaking areas.