noun
fairy tale, folktale
B1
Means fairy tale or folktale. Noun: das Märchen (singular), plural Märchen — same form as singular; plural article die Märchen. Genitive singular is des Märchens. Common in storytelling and literature; contrasts with real stories. No gender change; plural identical, watch articles for number.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Als Kind habe ich viele Märchen gelesen.
As a child I read a lot of fairy tales.
Der Autor schrieb neue Märchen, obwohl nur wenige Verlage Interesse zeigten.
The author wrote new fairy tales, although only a few publishers showed interest.
Die Großmutter liest den Kindern ein Märchen vor.
The grandmother reads a fairy tale to the children.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture a little illustrated storybook with fairies popping out of it.
Sounds like 'mare-chen' — imagine a small 'mare' (horse) in a storybook.
Neuter (das): imagine the storybook inside a neutral box labeled 'das'.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Plural is the same form as singular: die Märchen. Use 'das Märchen' for a single fairy tale.