Walter's Famous German Language Essentials Guide

[Marco Leise via Digitalmars-d]

Am Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:15:27 +0000
schrieb Chris <wendlec at tcd.ie>:

> Except when it corresponds to the natural gender, i.e. der Mann, 
> die Frau. It's interesting that the word for child is neuter (das 
> Kind). Looks like children are not yet considered to be of any 
> sex, which makes a lot of sense.

Child is the generic word to boy and girl. It's
       "das Kind"
     ♂            ♀
"der Junge" "das Mädchen"
where Mädchen is neutrum, because it is a diminuitive form.
These are used in some languages to denote something
little/young/cute/lesser. A cute, little hare (der Hase) is
"das Häschen". Beware though that a not so cute Mädchen is NOT
"die Made" by reverse, because that would be a maggot.

-- 
Marco