Why does the noun Kleinkind have the article das?

Nouns referring to young humans or animals are often neuter.

Examples

das Kind (child), das Baby (baby), das Lamm (lamb), das Kalb (calf), das Fohlen (foal), das Ferkel (piglet), das Küken (chick)

Exceptions

der Welpe (puppy - male), die Larve (larva)

Declension table for German noun Kleinkind

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativdas Kleinkindein Kleinkindkein Kleinkind
Akkusativdas Kleinkindein Kleinkindkein Kleinkind
Dativdem Kleinkindeinem Kleinkindkeinem Kleinkind
Genitivdes Kleinkindeines Kleinkindkeines Kleinkind

Examples in context

Real sentences using Kleinkind in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Das kleine Kleinkind spielt draußen.The small toddler plays outside.
Ein fröhliches Kleinkind lacht viel.A cheerful toddler laughs a lot.
Kein müdees Kleinkind ist traurig.No tired toddler is sad.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe das kleine Kleinkind im Park.I see the small toddler in the park.
Sie hat ein fröhliches Kleinkind zu Hause.She has a cheerful toddler at home.
Wir kennen kein müdees Kleinkind nicht.We don't know any tired toddler.
Dativ
Ich gebe dem kleinen Kleinkind ein Spielzeug.I give a toy to the small toddler.
Sie hilft einem fröhlichen Kleinkind beim Anziehen.She helps a cheerful toddler get dressed.
Ich spreche mit keinem müdeen Kleinkind nicht.I don't speak with any tired toddler.
Genitiv
Das Spielzeug des kleinen Kleinkindes ist neu.The toy of the small toddler is new.
Die Kleidung eines fröhlichen Kleinkindes ist sauber.The clothes of a cheerful toddler are clean.
Die Stimme keines müdeen Kleinkindes ist leise.The voice of no tired toddler is quiet.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Kleinkind?

It is das Kleinkind. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Kleinkind is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Kleinkind?

The plural form of das Kleinkind is die Kleinkinder. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does das Kleinkind mean in English?

The German word das Kleinkind translates to “toddler” in English.

How do you decline das Kleinkind?

Like all German nouns, Kleinkind changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: das Kleinkind
  • Akkusativ: das Kleinkind
  • Dativ: dem Kleinkind
  • Genitiv: des Kleinkind

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.