das Einzelkind, -er

The German word "Einzelkind" is a noun that means "only child". It is made up of "einzel" which means "single" or "individual" and "Kind" which means "child". So, "Einzelkind" refers specifically to a child who does not have any siblings. Similar terms in German include "Solitärkind" (to emphasize solitude), although "Einzelkind" is the most commonly used word to describe an only child. The main difference is that "Solitärkind" may carry additional connotations of isolation or uniqueness, while "Einzelkind" is a neutral term focused purely on the familial aspect of being an only child.