noun
girl
A1
Mädchen (das) means 'girl'. Despite biological female meaning, it is neuter because of the diminutive suffix -chen. Singular genitive is des Mädchens; plural is Mädchen (die Mädchen). Plural identical form; declension follows regular weak patterns for diminutives, common in everyday speech.
Examples
Das Mädchen mit den roten Haaren heißt Anna.
The girl with red hair is called Anna.
Das Mädchen spielt im Garten.
The girl is playing in the garden.
Der Vater erzählte, dass er das Mädchen im Park sah, als der Regen begann.
The father recounted that he saw the girl in the park when the rain began.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a young girl with a label 'das Mädchen' (note neuter article).
Sounds like 'mad-chen' — think 'mad' child but actually means 'girl'.
Even though it refers to a female person, it's neuter: 'das Mädchen' — remember '-chen' makes nouns neuter.
Notes
Diminutive -chen makes the noun neuter; plural stays 'Mädchen'.