kindlich

Kindlich is a German adjective meaning related to a child or childlike. It describes traits, behaviors, or qualities attributed to children or to adults and things that resemble children in their nature. Common collocations include kindliche Neugier, kindliche Unschuld, and kindliche Fantasie. The term can be used neutrally in scientific contexts, as in kindliche Entwicklung (child development), or in everyday language to convey simplicity, innocence, or earnestness reminiscent of childhood.

Etymology: Kindlich derives from das Kind (child) with the suffix -lich, forming a sense of “characteristic of a child” or “like a child.” The word is distinct from kindisch, which carries a pejorative sense of childishness or silliness.

Usage and nuance: In neutral or positive contexts, kindlich emphasizes a genuine or aesthetically appealing resemblance to childhood. In some cases it can carry a soft evaluative tone, indicating naivety or simplicity, but this is less common than with the harsher term kindisch.

Examples: eine kindliche Freude (a childlike joy), kindliche Unschuld (childlike innocence), kindliche Fantasie (childlike imagination), kindliche Züge (childlike features or traits). In psychology and pedagogy, the phrase kindliche Entwicklung is standard for describing stages of child development. See also related terms such as das Kind and kindisch for contrast in usage.