An infant is a very small baby. When a baby is born, we call them an infant. You might see an infant in a stroller or being held by their mother. It is a formal word for a baby.
An infant is usually a child who is less than one year old. Doctors and nurses use this word to describe the health of babies. For example, 'The infant is sleeping' sounds very clear and simple.
Using the word infant helps you sound more specific. While 'baby' is fine for friends, 'infant' is better when you are talking about biology or child psychology. Many books about parenting use this term to discuss how a child grows in their first year.
The term infant is often used in academic or professional settings. You might hear about 'infant nutrition' or 'infant care' in a documentary. It carries a slightly detached, objective tone compared to the warmer, more emotional word 'baby.'
In advanced English, infant can be used metaphorically. When we say something is 'in its infancy,' we mean it has only just begun. This usage is common in business and technology articles to describe new trends that are still developing and have not yet reached maturity.
The etymological roots of infant—meaning 'unable to speak'—provide a rich layer of meaning. In literary contexts, it can evoke the vulnerability of the human condition. Mastery of this word involves knowing when to switch from the common 'baby' to the more precise, clinical, or metaphorical 'infant' depending on your audience and intent.
婴儿 in 30 Sekunden
- Infant means a baby under one year old.
- It is a formal, precise term.
- It comes from Latin for 'not speaking'.
- Use 'in its infancy' for new ideas.
When we talk about an infant, we are referring to the earliest stage of human life. While we often use the word 'baby' in daily conversation, 'infant' is a slightly more formal term that you will frequently encounter in books, medical articles, and news reports.
Think of an infant as a child who has not yet reached their first birthday. Because this is a time of incredible growth, the word is often linked to developmental milestones like learning to crawl, babble, or recognize faces. It is a precise way to describe the very beginning of a person's journey.
The word infant has a fascinating history rooted in Latin. It comes from the Latin word infans, which is a combination of in- (meaning 'not') and fari (meaning 'to speak').
Literally, an infant is 'one who cannot speak.' This reflects the ancient observation that very young children have not yet developed the ability to use language. Over centuries, the word entered English through Old French, maintaining its focus on the pre-verbal stage of human development. It is a beautiful reminder of how our language captures the essence of human growth.
In English, you will find infant used in contexts where precision is required. For example, doctors might talk about 'infant mortality rates' or 'infant nutrition.' It is less common in casual, affectionate conversation where people prefer 'baby' or 'little one.'
Common collocations include infant care, infant development, and newborn infant. Using 'infant' instead of 'baby' adds a professional or scientific tone to your writing, making it perfect for essays or formal presentations.
While 'infant' itself doesn't appear in many common idioms, it is used in the phrase 'in its infancy.' This expression means that something is in the very early stages of development.
- The project is still in its infancy.
- Artificial intelligence is still in its infancy.
- Our company was in its infancy when we started.
- The technology is in its infancy.
- The movement is in its infancy.
The word infant is a countable noun. You can have one infant or two infants. In terms of pronunciation, it is stressed on the first syllable: IN-funt.
It is often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific child, or 'an' when referring to any child in general. It rhymes with words like 'distant' or 'constant' in terms of its ending sound pattern.
Wusstest du?
The word comes from 'in-' (not) and 'fari' (to speak).
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing it like 'in-fant' with a long 'a'
- Missing the 't' at the end
- Stressing the second syllable
Schwierigkeitsgrad
easy to understand
useful for formal writing
simple to pronounce
very clear
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Countable Nouns
one infant, two infants
Articles
an infant
Subject-Verb Agreement
The infant sleeps.
Beispiele nach Niveau
The infant is sleeping.
baby is asleep
noun subject
She held the infant.
held the baby
transitive verb
The infant is small.
baby is tiny
adjective
An infant needs milk.
baby needs food
article usage
The infant cried.
baby made noise
past tense
I saw an infant.
I saw a baby
object
The infant is cute.
baby is nice
adjective
Care for the infant.
look after baby
imperative
The infant needs constant care.
Development in infants is rapid.
The doctor examined the infant.
She is an infant specialist.
Infants learn by touching.
The infant's clothes are soft.
Many infants enjoy music.
The infant is resting now.
The infant mortality rate has decreased.
Proper nutrition is vital for an infant.
The study focused on infant behavior.
She works in the infant ward.
The infant began to crawl.
Parents must monitor their infant.
The infant responded to the sound.
This toy is safe for an infant.
The project is still in its infancy.
Infant development is a complex field.
The hospital provides excellent infant care.
He is an expert on infant psychology.
The software is in its infancy.
The infant was wrapped in a blanket.
Early intervention helps the infant.
The infant's needs were met.
The technology is in its infancy but shows promise.
The infant's cognitive growth was monitored.
Researchers observed the infant's reaction.
The industry is in its infancy.
The infant's cries were ignored.
The infant's immune system is weak.
The study of infant cognition is fascinating.
The infant's needs are paramount.
The movement remains in its infancy, yet its impact is profound.
The infant's pre-verbal state is a subject of intense study.
His theories were in their infancy when he died.
The infant's vulnerability is universal.
The infant's development follows a predictable path.
The project's infancy was marked by many challenges.
The infant's potential is limitless.
The field of study is still in its infancy.
Häufige Kollokationen
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"in its infancy"
at the very beginning
The project is in its infancy.
neutral"infant industry"
a new industry needing protection
They protect the infant industry.
economic"out of infancy"
past the early stage
The business is out of infancy.
neutral"infant stage"
early development
We are at the infant stage.
neutral"infant steps"
small initial progress
We are taking infant steps.
neutral"infant days"
the very early times
Those were the infant days.
literaryLeicht verwechselbar
similar spelling
infantry is soldiers
The infantry marched.
both are young
child is broader
The child is five.
both are babies
neonate is medical
The neonate is new.
both are young
toddler walks
The toddler runs.
Satzmuster
The infant + verb
The infant cried.
An infant + verb
An infant needs care.
Subject + is in its infancy
The plan is in its infancy.
Adjective + infant
The healthy infant slept.
Noun + of the infant
The care of the infant is key.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
7
-
Using infant for a 5-year-old
→
child
Infant is for babies under 1 year.
-
Infant's vs Infants
→
Infants
Infants is plural, infant's is possessive.
-
Saying 'an infant baby'
→
infant or baby
Redundant; infant already means baby.
-
Confusing with 'infantry'
→
infant
Infantry is soldiers; infant is a baby.
-
Using 'infant' in casual chat
→
baby
Infant sounds too clinical for friends.
Tipps
Memory Trick
Remember IN-FANT means IN-ability to speak.
Native Speakers
Use 'baby' for friends and 'infant' for reports.
Cultural Insight
It is common in medical documents.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before infant.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for older kids.
Did You Know?
It means 'not speaking' in Latin.
Study Smart
Use it in the phrase 'in its infancy'.
Academic Tip
Use it to sound more objective.
Word Power
Link it to 'infantile'.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
IN-FANT: I Not Talk (In-f-ant).
Visuelle Assoziation
A baby in a crib.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write 3 sentences using 'in its infancy'.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: unable to speak
Kultureller Kontext
None, universally understood.
Used formally in law and medicine.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
medical
- infant care
- infant mortality
- infant development
business
- in its infancy
- infant industry
- early stage
parenting
- infant needs
- infant health
- newborn infant
academic
- infant psychology
- infant behavior
- infant nutrition
Gesprächseinstiege
"What is the most important thing for an infant?"
"Why do we call new technologies 'in their infancy'?"
"How does infant care differ from toddler care?"
"Have you ever read about infant development?"
"Why is the word 'infant' used more in formal writing?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe the needs of an infant.
Explain why a project might be in its infancy.
Compare the words 'baby' and 'infant'.
Write about a time you saw an infant.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, it is a formal term for a baby.
No, it refers to age.
The period of being an infant.
No, it is just formal.
In formal writing or medical talk.
Yes, one infant, two infants.
Yes, it does.
Latin, meaning unable to speak.
Teste dich selbst 5 Fragen
The ___ is sleeping.
Infant is the baby.
What is an infant?
Infant means baby.
An infant can talk.
Infants are pre-verbal.
/ 5 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
An infant is a baby, and when something is in its infancy, it is just beginning.
- Infant means a baby under one year old.
- It is a formal, precise term.
- It comes from Latin for 'not speaking'.
- Use 'in its infancy' for new ideas.
Memory Trick
Remember IN-FANT means IN-ability to speak.
Native Speakers
Use 'baby' for friends and 'infant' for reports.
Cultural Insight
It is common in medical documents.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before infant.
