die Jungfer, -n
spinster
Eine junge Frau, die nicht verheiratet ist; früher auch eine Frau, die noch keinen Geschlechtsverkehr hatte.
Definition & meaning
Jungfer is an old-fashioned or literary German feminine noun meaning:
-
Maiden / unmarried young woman
Historically, it referred to a young woman who was not married, often with the additional implication that she was a virgin. In modern German, this use sounds archaic, regional, or literary. -
Virgin
Depending on context, Jungfer can emphasize sexual inexperience or virginity rather than simply marital status. -
Maid or female servant
Historically, it could also refer to a maid, especially a lady’s maid. This meaning is now obsolete.
The expression „alte Jungfer“ means old maid. Today, it is usually old-fashioned and can sound derogatory.
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: feminine
- Article: die Jungfer(vocabuo://word/Jungfer)
- Plural: die Jungfern
The word is a shortened historical form related to Jungfrau , literally “young woman” or “maiden.” It should not be analyzed as the modern word jung plus an independent suffix -fer.
Because of its historical associations with virginity and unmarried women, Jungfer is rarely used in everyday contemporary German.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Jungfrau — maiden or virgin; more common historically and also used in religious or literary contexts. It can additionally refer to the Virgin Mary or the zodiac sign Virgo.
- Mädchen — girl; focuses on age and does not necessarily imply virginity or unmarried status.
- unverheiratete Frau — unmarried woman; neutral and descriptive, without the old-fashioned tone of Jungfer.
Antonyms and contrasting terms
There is no exact modern antonym. Depending on the intended contrast:
- Ehefrau — wife, emphasizing that the woman is married.
- verheiratete Frau — married woman.
- Junggeselle — bachelor; the traditional male counterpart for an unmarried adult, not a strict antonym.
Common phrases & collocations
- eine alte Jungfer — an old maid; old-fashioned and potentially insulting.
- eine keusche Jungfer — a chaste maiden; literary or historical.
- Jungfernstieg — literally “maidens’ promenade”; best known as the name of a famous street and promenade in Hamburg.
- Jungfernhäutchen — hymen; a traditional term connected with the historical association between Jungfer and virginity.
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Examples
Die alten Häuser im Dorf gehörten einst einer reichen Jungfer.noun
The old houses in the village once belonged to a wealthy spinster.
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