die Kindheit, -en
childhood
Die Zeit im Leben eines Menschen, in der er noch jung ist und aufwächst, bevor er erwachsen wird.
Definition & meaning
Kindheit refers to the period of human life between birth and the onset of adolescence or puberty. It describes the state of being a child and is often used to discuss the early experiences, development, and memories formed during these formative years. While primarily referring to a chronological time span, it can also describe the quality of one's early life.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun: die Kindheit. Although a plural form exists (Kindheiten), it is rarely used unless referring to the different childhood experiences of multiple individuals.
It is a compound word consisting of:
- Kind: Meaning "child".
- -heit: A common German suffix used to form abstract feminine nouns from adjectives or other nouns, similar to the English suffix "-hood" or "-ness".
Historically, the word derives from the Middle High German "kintheit" and Old High German "kindheit".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Kinderjahre: Literally "child years", referring specifically to the time spent as a child.
- Jugend: Meaning "youth". While Jugend usually refers to the period following childhood (adolescence), it is sometimes used broadly to cover the entire period of growing up.
Antonyms:
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Examples
Seine Kindheit verbrachte er auf dem Land.noun
He spent his childhood in the countryside.
Die Kindheit ist eine sehr prägende Zeit im Leben.noun
Childhood is a very formative time in life.
Während meiner Kindheit spielte ich oft im Garten.noun
During my childhood, I often played in the garden.
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