Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #6,500 mais comum 11 min de leitura

die Kusine

Top 6,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas die Kusine em 30 segundos

Explicação die Kusine in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn the most basic family members: mother, father, brother, sister. 'Die Kusine' (or 'Cousine') is often introduced as part of the extended family. At this stage, the most important thing is to remember that the word is feminine ('die') and that it refers to a girl or woman. You will use it in simple sentences like 'Das ist meine Kusine' (That is my cousin) or 'Meine Kusine heißt Maria'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just focus on identifying who the person is in your family tree. Remember: if it's a boy, it's 'der Cousin'. If it's a girl, it's 'die Kusine'. The pronunciation is also key; make sure to say the 'e' at the end clearly so people don't think you are talking about a male cousin.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

In A2, you start to describe your family in more detail. You might talk about where your 'Kusine' lives, what she does for a living, or when you last saw her. You will learn to use possessive pronouns like 'deine', 'seine', and 'ihre' with the word 'Kusine'. For example: 'Seine Kusine wohnt in Hamburg' (His cousin lives in Hamburg). You also start using the accusative case, but for feminine nouns like 'Kusine', the article 'die' and the pronoun 'meine' stay the same as in the nominative. 'Ich besuche meine Kusine' is a typical A2 sentence. You might also mention 'die Kusinen' (plural) when talking about multiple female relatives during a holiday or family event.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'die Kusine' correctly in all four cases, including the tricky dative case. You will use it in sentences like 'Ich habe meiner Kusine ein Buch geschenkt' (I gave my cousin a book). You also begin to discuss relationships and childhood memories in more depth. You might explain the connection: 'Sie ist die Kusine mütterlicherseits' (She is the cousin on my mother's side). You will also notice the two spellings 'Kusine' and 'Cousine' and understand that they are interchangeable, though 'Kusine' is the Germanized spelling. At this level, you can also use the word in more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses: 'Die Kusine, die in Berlin lebt, kommt uns besuchen.'

By B2, you should be perfectly comfortable with 'die Kusine' and its plural 'die Kusinen'. You might encounter the word in more formal or literary contexts. You'll understand nuances like 'Kusine zweiten Grades' (second cousin) and be able to discuss family dynamics or inheritance issues using the term. You might also explore the cultural significance of the extended family in German-speaking countries. You can use the word in the genitive case with ease: 'Das Haus meiner Kusine' or 'Während des Besuchs meiner Kusine'. Your vocabulary will also include related concepts like 'Vetterleswirtschaft' (nepotism), which uses the male equivalent 'Vetter' but relates to the same family concept.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C1 level, you will encounter 'die Kusine' in complex literature, legal documents, and historical texts. You will recognize archaic terms like 'die Base' and understand how the language has evolved from using French loanwords. You can discuss the etymology of the word and its sociological implications within the German family structure. You will be able to use the word in highly nuanced sentences, perhaps discussing the psychological distance or closeness in family relationships. Your use of cases and plural forms will be flawless, even in rapid, high-level conversation. You might also use the word in idiomatic or metaphorical ways in creative writing.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, 'die Kusine' is a simple building block in your vast command of the language. You can analyze how authors use the 'Kusine' character as a trope in German literature (e.g., in the works of Theodor Fontane or Thomas Mann). You understand the subtle social shifts that the word represents, from the aristocratic 'Cousine' to the more modern, everyday 'Kusine'. You can navigate any legal or genealogical discussion involving this term with the precision of a native speaker, understanding even the most obscure regional variations or historical uses of the term.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

die Kusine em 30 segundos

Die Kusine is the German word for a female cousin, specifically the daughter of your aunt or uncle.
It is a feminine noun requiring 'die' or feminine possessive pronouns like 'meine' or 'deine'.
The plural form is 'die Kusinen', and an alternative common spelling is 'die Cousine'.
Unlike English, German distinguishes gender for cousins; the male equivalent is 'der Cousin' or 'der Vetter'.

The German word die Kusine is a feminine noun that translates directly to 'female cousin' in English. It specifically identifies a woman or girl who is the daughter of one's aunt or uncle. While the spelling 'Cousine' is also frequently encountered in modern German due to its French origins, 'Kusine' is the Germanized variant that strictly follows German orthographic rules. Understanding this word is essential for navigating family relationships, which are a cornerstone of social life in German-speaking countries.

Gender and Identity: Unlike the English word 'cousin', which is gender-neutral, German distinguishes between male and female cousins. Die Kusine is exclusively female. For a male cousin, one would use 'der Cousin' or the more traditional 'der Vetter'.

Ich besuche am Wochenende die Kusine meiner Mutter in Berlin.

Translation: I am visiting my mother's female cousin in Berlin this weekend.

In everyday conversation, the word is used whenever you are identifying a specific female relative within your extended family tree. It is not a title you use to address someone directly (like 'Aunt' or 'Tante'), but rather a descriptive term. For example, you wouldn't say 'Hallo, Kusine!', but rather 'Hallo, [Name]!'. However, when explaining your relationship to someone else, die Kusine is the standard term.

Spelling Variations: You will often see 'Cousine'. Both are correct, but 'Kusine' is the version that aligns with the Duden's preference for Germanized spellings of loanwords. In formal writing, either is acceptable, though consistency is key.

Meine Kusine studiert Medizin in Heidelberg.

Historically, German used the word 'Base' for a female cousin, but this is now considered archaic or highly regional. If you encounter 'Base' in a 19th-century novel, it refers to exactly the same relationship as die Kusine. In the B1 level of German learning, mastering these family terms allows you to describe your background, share personal stories, and understand the social dynamics of your peers.

Social Context: German culture places a high value on family gatherings (Familientreffen). During these events, your Kusinen and Cousins are often your primary social circle among relatives of your own age. Discussing these relationships is a common icebreaker.

Alle meine Kusinen kommen zur Hochzeit.

In summary, die Kusine is a precise, gendered term for a female cousin. It reflects the German language's tendency toward specific familial roles and provides a clear way to navigate the branches of a family tree. Whether you are filling out a family tree or chatting about your relatives, this word is your go-to for identifying the daughters of your parents' siblings.

Using die Kusine correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender (feminine) and how it changes across the four German cases. Because it is a feminine noun, it will almost always be preceded by feminine articles like 'die', 'eine', 'meine', or 'deine'. In the singular form, the word remains 'Kusine' in the nominative, dative, and accusative cases, but the accompanying articles and adjectives will change to reflect the case.

The Nominative Case: Used when the cousin is the subject of the sentence. Example: 'Meine Kusine ist sehr intelligent.' (My cousin is very intelligent.) Here, 'meine' is the feminine nominative possessive pronoun.

Die Kusine aus München hat angerufen.

When the cousin is the direct object of a verb, you use the accusative case. Since it is feminine, the article 'die' or 'meine' does not change its form from the nominative. Example: 'Ich besuche meine Kusine.' (I am visiting my cousin.) This is one of the easier aspects of feminine nouns for English speakers, as the forms often look identical.

The Dative Case: This case is used for indirect objects or after certain prepositions. The feminine article 'die' becomes 'der', and 'meine' becomes 'meiner'. Example: 'Ich gebe meiner Kusine ein Geschenk.' (I am giving my cousin a gift.) This change is a common pitfall for learners.

Ich habe mit meiner Kusine über den Urlaub gesprochen.

In the plural, the noun becomes 'die Kusinen'. In the dative plural, it becomes 'den Kusinen'. Example: 'Ich helfe meinen Kusinen.' (I am helping my cousins.) Note the 'n' added to the possessive pronoun 'meinen' and the noun already ends in 'n', so no extra 'n' is needed there.

Genitive Case: Used to show possession. 'Das Auto meiner Kusine' (My cousin's car). Again, the feminine genitive uses 'der' or 'meiner'.

Die Hochzeit meiner Kusine war wunderschön.

When describing a cousin's relationship to you, you can also use 'von' + dative in informal speech: 'Die Kusine von mir' instead of 'Meine Kusine'. However, 'Meine Kusine' is the standard and more elegant way to express this relationship. As you progress to B1, you should feel comfortable using these variations to add variety to your speech.

Hast du die Kusine deines Vaters schon mal getroffen?

You will encounter the word die Kusine in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from intimate family settings to administrative tasks. Family is a central topic in German life, and extended relatives often play a significant role in social gatherings, celebrations, and support networks. Understanding where and how this word pops up will help you sound more natural and understand the nuances of German social structure.

Family Gatherings and Holidays: The most common place to hear die Kusine is at a 'Familienfest' (family party). Whether it's a birthday, a wedding (Hochzeit), or a religious holiday like Christmas (Weihnachten) or Easter (Ostern), Germans often gather with their extended families. You might hear someone say, 'Das ist meine Kusine Sarah' when introducing a relative.

An Weihnachten treffen wir uns immer mit allen Kusinen und Cousins.

In rural areas or smaller towns, family networks can be quite dense. You might hear people discussing their Kusinen in the context of local news or updates. 'Hast du gehört? Die Kusine vom Bäcker hat gestern geheiratet.' (Did you hear? The baker's cousin got married yesterday.) This usage highlights the community-oriented nature of many German regions.

Legal and Administrative Contexts: When dealing with inheritance (Erbe), insurance, or official documentation, you might need to identify your relationship to others. In these formal settings, die Kusine is the precise term used to define a 'Seitenverwandte' (collateral relative). You might see it on family tree charts or legal forms.

Im Testament wurde auch die Kusine zweiten Grades erwähnt.

Social media and digital communication are other places where you'll see the word. People often tag their Kusinen in photos or mention them in status updates. Because 'Kusine' is a bit more formal-sounding than just using a name, it's often used to clarify the relationship for a wider audience: 'Ein toller Tag mit meiner Kusine!'

Genealogy and History: If you visit a museum or an archive in Germany, or if you are researching your own ancestry (Ahnenforschung), you will constantly encounter this term. Understanding the difference between a Kusine and a Nichte (niece) is crucial for accurately mapping out historical family lines.

Meine Kusine ist die Trauzeugin meiner Schwester.

Learning German family terms can be tricky because while some words look like their English counterparts, their grammatical behavior is quite different. Die Kusine is a prime example of a word where small errors in gender, spelling, or case can change the meaning or simply sound 'off' to a native speaker. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid as you master this B1-level vocabulary.

Gender Confusion: The most frequent mistake for English speakers is using the wrong gender. In English, 'cousin' covers everyone. In German, you must use die Kusine for females and der Cousin for males. Saying 'mein Kusine' is a grammatical clash (masculine pronoun with a feminine noun).

Falsch: Mein Kusine kommt heute.
Richtig: Meine Kusine kommt heute.

Another common error is related to the spelling. Because the word comes from French, many learners (and even some native speakers) struggle between 'Cousine' and 'Kusine'. While 'Cousine' is more common in modern usage, 'Kusine' is the Germanized version. However, you should never mix them up with 'Cousin' (the male version). Adding an 'e' at the end is what makes it feminine.

Case Errors (Dative vs. Accusative): Learners often forget to change the article in the dative case. Since Kusine is feminine, the dative article is 'der' (or 'meiner', 'einer'). It is very common to hear 'Ich habe meine Kusine geholfen,' which is incorrect because 'helfen' requires the dative case.

Ich schicke meiner Kusine eine E-Mail. (Dative case: to my cousin)

Pluralization is another area for mistakes. The plural of die Kusine is die Kusinen. Learners often try to use the English-style 'Kusines' or the French-style 'Cousins' for a group of females. Remember: if they are all female, it's 'Kusinen'. If the group is mixed, it's 'Cousins'.

Confusing with 'Nichte' or 'Enkelin': Sometimes learners confuse the different 'levels' of the family tree. A Kusine is the daughter of your aunt/uncle. A Nichte is the daughter of your brother/sister. An Enkelin is your granddaughter. Keeping these distinct is vital for clear communication.

Meine Kusine (ku-SEE-nuh) vs. mein Cousin (ku-SENG).

In German, as in English, there are several ways to refer to family members depending on the level of formality, the specific relationship, and regional dialects. While die Kusine is the standard term for a female cousin, knowing its synonyms and related terms can help you navigate more complex conversations and literary texts.

Cousine vs. Kusine: These are essentially the same word. 'Cousine' is the older, French-influenced spelling and is currently more common in everyday usage and media. 'Kusine' is the more 'German-looking' version. Both are accepted, but 'Cousine' often feels slightly more modern or sophisticated to some speakers.

Ob man Kusine oder Cousine schreibt, ist eine Frage des Geschmacks.

A more traditional, though now largely archaic, term is die Base. You will likely only encounter this in 18th or 19th-century literature (like Goethe or Schiller) or perhaps in very specific regional dialects in the south of Germany or Austria. It is the female equivalent of 'der Vetter' (male cousin).

Verwandte (Relative): If you want to be less specific, you can use 'eine Verwandte' (a female relative). This is useful if you can't remember the exact relationship or if it's not important for the story. 'Sie ist eine Verwandte von mir' (She is a relative of mine).

Ich habe viele Verwandte, aber nur eine Kusine.

In formal genealogical terms, you might hear Kusine zweiten Grades (second cousin). This refers to the daughter of your parent's cousin. German is very precise about these 'degrees' (Grade) of relationship, especially in legal contexts regarding inheritance.

Vetterleswirtschaft: While not a synonym for the person, this is a famous related word. It literally means 'cousin-economy' and is the German word for nepotism or cronyism. It shows how the concept of 'cousins' (Vetter/Kusine) is baked into the language of social connections.

Meine Kusine ist wie eine Schwester für mich.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

Before 'Kusine' and 'Cousin' became standard, Germans used 'Vetter' and 'Base'. These terms are still found in old fairy tales like those of the Brothers Grimm.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /kuˈziːnə/

US /kuˈzinə/

The stress is on the second syllable: ku-SI-ne.

Rima com

Lawine (avalanche) Maschine (machine) Rosine (raisin) Kabine (cabin) Ruine (ruin) Sardine (sardine) Termine (appointments) Biene (bee)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing it like the English 'cousin' (missing the final 'e').
Pronouncing the 'u' too short like in 'cup'.
Forgetting the soft 'z' sound and making it a hard 'ts' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing the pronunciation with the male 'Cousin' (which ends in a nasal sound).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know English 'cousin' and French 'cousine'.

Escrita 3/5

Tricky due to the K/C spelling choice and the feminine endings.

Expressão oral 3/5

Requires correct stress and pronunciation of the final 'e'.

Audição 3/5

Must distinguish from the male 'Cousin' at the end of the word.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

die Tante der Onkel die Familie weiblich die Schwester

Aprenda a seguir

der Cousin der Vetter die Nichte der Neffe die Verwandtschaft

Avançado

Vetterleswirtschaft Seitenverwandte Ahnenforschung Erbfolge Base

Gramática essencial

Feminine Noun Declension

die Kusine, der Kusine, der Kusine, die Kusine

Possessive Pronouns (Feminine)

meine, deine, seine, ihre, unsere, eure, ihre

Plural Formation with -n

die Kusine -> die Kusinen

Dative Case for Indirect Objects

Ich gebe meiner Kusine das Buch.

Genitive Case for Possession

Das Auto der Kusine.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

Das ist meine Kusine.

That is my female cousin.

Nominative feminine singular.

Meine Kusine heißt Lisa.

My cousin is named Lisa.

Subject of the sentence.

Ist das deine Kusine?

Is that your cousin?

Question form with possessive pronoun.

Sie ist eine Kusine.

She is a cousin.

Indefinite article 'eine'.

Meine Kusine ist klein.

My cousin is small.

Adjective usage.

Hallo, meine liebe Kusine!

Hello, my dear cousin!

Direct address with adjective ending.

Wo wohnt deine Kusine?

Where does your cousin live?

Wh-question.

Meine Kusine hat einen Hund.

My cousin has a dog.

Verb 'haben' with accusative object.

Ich besuche meine Kusine am Wochenende.

I am visiting my cousin on the weekend.

Accusative case (no change for feminine).

Wir haben drei Kusinen.

We have three female cousins.

Plural form 'Kusinen'.

Meine Kusine arbeitet in einer Bank.

My cousin works in a bank.

Present tense verb 'arbeiten'.

Ich schreibe meiner Kusine eine Karte.

I am writing my cousin a card.

Dative case 'meiner'.

Kennst du die Kusine von Paul?

Do you know Paul's cousin?

'von' + dative construction.

Meine Kusine kommt aus Frankreich.

My cousin comes from France.

Preposition 'aus' with dative.

Das Geschenk ist für meine Kusine.

The gift is for my cousin.

Preposition 'für' with accusative.

Meine Kusine und ich spielen oft Tennis.

My cousin and I often play tennis.

Compound subject.

Ich habe meiner Kusine beim Umzug geholfen.

I helped my cousin with the move.

Dative case after 'helfen'.

Die Kusine meines Vaters ist eine berühmte Malerin.

My father's cousin is a famous painter.

Genitive case 'meines Vaters'.

Seit wann kennst du deine Kusine schon?

How long have you known your cousin?

Present perfect with 'seit'.

Ich verstehe mich sehr gut mit meiner Kusine.

I get along very well with my cousin.

Reflexive verb with 'mit' + dative.

Meine Kusine, die in Wien lebt, ist Ärztin.

My cousin, who lives in Vienna, is a doctor.

Relative clause.

Wir haben die Kusine meiner Mutter zum Essen eingeladen.

We invited my mother's cousin to dinner.

Accusative object with genitive modifier.

Obwohl sie meine Kusine ist, sehen wir uns selten.

Although she is my cousin, we rarely see each other.

Conjunction 'obwohl'.

Ich habe das Buch von meiner Kusine geliehen.

I borrowed the book from my cousin.

'von' + dative indicating source.

Die Kusine gilt in unserer Familie als sehr erfolgreich.

The cousin is considered very successful in our family.

Passive-like construction with 'gelten als'.

Trotz der Entfernung halten meine Kusine und ich Kontakt.

Despite the distance, my cousin and I stay in touch.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive.

Es ist die Kusine zweiten Grades, die das Erbe antritt.

It is the second cousin who is taking up the inheritance.

Specific familial degree 'zweiten Grades'.

Meine Kusine hat sich dazu entschlossen, ins Ausland zu gehen.

My cousin has decided to go abroad.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

Ich würde meiner Kusine gerne öfter schreiben, aber ich habe wenig Zeit.

I would like to write to my cousin more often, but I have little time.

Konjunktiv II (would like to).

Die Kusine meiner Frau ist uns eine große Hilfe.

My wife's cousin is a great help to us.

Dative 'uns' and genitive 'meiner Frau'.

Je öfter ich meine Kusine treffe, desto mehr Gemeinsamkeiten finden wir.

The more often I meet my cousin, the more similarities we find.

Je... desto... comparative structure.

Meine Kusine beabsichtigt, nächstes Jahr zu heiraten.

My cousin intends to get married next year.

Verb 'beabsichtigen' with infinitive.

Die Kusine fungierte in dem Roman als die moralische Instanz.

The cousin functioned as the moral authority in the novel.

Formal verb 'fungieren'.

Hinsichtlich der Erbfolge spielt die Kusine eine entscheidende Rolle.

Regarding the succession, the cousin plays a decisive role.

Preposition 'hinsichtlich' with genitive.

Meine Kusine hat eine bemerkenswerte Karriere eingeschlagen.

My cousin has embarked on a remarkable career.

Idiomatic expression 'Karriere einschlagen'.

Es war meine Kusine, die mich auf diese Idee gebracht hat.

It was my cousin who gave me this idea.

Cleft sentence for emphasis.

Die Kusine wurde aufgrund ihrer Verdienste geehrt.

The cousin was honored for her merits.

Passive voice with 'aufgrund'.

Ungeachtet der familiären Spannungen blieb die Kusine neutral.

Regardless of the family tensions, the cousin remained neutral.

Preposition 'ungeachtet' with genitive.

Meine Kusine zeichnet sich durch ihre Geduld aus.

My cousin is characterized by her patience.

Reflexive verb 'sich auszeichnen'.

Die Kusine, deren Name mir gerade nicht einfällt, war auch da.

The cousin, whose name I can't think of right now, was also there.

Relative pronoun in the genitive 'deren'.

In Fontanes Werken ist die Kusine oft eine Figur von tragischer Tiefe.

In Fontane's works, the cousin is often a figure of tragic depth.

Literary analysis context.

Die Kusine erwies sich als die eigentliche Drahtzieherin hinter den Kulissen.

The cousin turned out to be the actual mastermind behind the scenes.

Idiom 'Drahtzieherin' (mastermind).

Man könnte fast sagen, die Kusine sei das Spiegelbild der Protagonistin.

One could almost say the cousin is the mirror image of the protagonist.

Konjunktiv I for indirect speech/thought.

Die Kusine, wenngleich nur entfernt verwandt, war stets präsent.

The cousin, although only distantly related, was always present.

Conjunction 'wenngleich'.

Es obliegt der Kusine, die Familientradition fortzuführen.

It is incumbent upon the cousin to continue the family tradition.

Formal verb 'obliegen' with dative.

Die Kusine hat sich zeitlebens für soziale Gerechtigkeit eingesetzt.

The cousin has advocated for social justice throughout her life.

Adverb 'zeitlebens' (lifelong).

Sollte die Kusine zustimmen, wäre das Problem gelöst.

Should the cousin agree, the problem would be solved.

Conditional sentence with 'sollte'.

Die Kusine verkörpert den Geist des bürgerlichen Realismus.

The cousin embodies the spirit of bourgeois realism.

Abstract literary terminology.

Colocações comuns

meine liebe Kusine

eine entfernte Kusine

die Kusine mütterlicherseits

die Kusine väterlicherseits

die leibliche Kusine

viele Kusinen haben

die älteste Kusine

die jüngste Kusine

mit der Kusine spielen

die Kusine besuchen

Frases Comuns

Grüß deine Kusine von mir!

— Say hello to your cousin for me.

Ich muss jetzt gehen. Grüß deine Kusine von mir!

Wie geht es deiner Kusine?

— How is your cousin doing?

Lange nicht gesehen! Wie geht es deiner Kusine?

Meine Kusine und ich sind wie Schwestern.

— My cousin and I are like sisters.

Wir verstehen uns super. Meine Kusine und ich sind wie Schwestern.

Sie ist die Tochter meiner Tante, also meine Kusine.

— She is my aunt's daughter, so she's my cousin.

Zur Klarstellung: Sie ist die Tochter meiner Tante, also meine Kusine.

Ich habe meine Kusine ewig nicht gesehen.

— I haven't seen my cousin in ages.

Auf der Hochzeit treffen wir uns wieder; ich habe meine Kusine ewig nicht gesehen.

Meine Kusine heiratet bald.

— My cousin is getting married soon.

Hast du die Einladung bekommen? Meine Kusine heiratet bald.

Das ist ein Foto von meiner Kusine.

— This is a photo of my cousin.

Schau mal, das ist ein Foto von meiner Kusine aus dem Urlaub.

Meine Kusine ist ein Jahr älter als ich.

— My cousin is one year older than me.

Wir sind fast gleich alt, meine Kusine ist nur ein Jahr älter als ich.

Ich fahre mit meiner Kusine in den Urlaub.

— I'm going on vacation with my cousin.

Diesen Sommer fahre ich mit meiner Kusine nach Italien.

Frag doch mal deine Kusine.

— Why don't you ask your cousin?

Sie weiß viel über Computer. Frag doch mal deine Kusine.

Frequentemente confundido com

die Kusine vs der Cousin

This is the male version. Don't use 'die' with it.

die Kusine vs die Nichte

A niece is your sibling's daughter, not your aunt's daughter.

die Kusine vs die Cousine

Just an alternative spelling, but don't mix up the 'i' and 'ou' randomly.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Vetterleswirtschaft"

— Nepotism or cronyism; favoring relatives or friends for jobs.

In dieser Firma herrscht reine Vetterleswirtschaft.

Informal/Critical

"Über sieben Ecken verwandt sein"

— To be very distantly related (e.g., through a cousin's cousin).

Wir sind über sieben Ecken verwandt, sie ist die Kusine eines Schwagers.

Colloquial

"Die bucklige Verwandtschaft"

— A humorous, slightly derogatory term for one's extended family (including cousins).

An Weihnachten kommt wieder die ganze bucklige Verwandtschaft.

Humorous/Informal

"Blut ist dicker als Wasser"

— Family ties (including those with cousins) are stronger than other relationships.

Natürlich helfe ich meiner Kusine; Blut ist dicker als Wasser.

Standard

"Ein Herz und eine Seele sein"

— To be inseparable (often used for close cousins).

Meine Kusine und ich sind ein Herz und eine Seele.

Standard

"In der Familie bleiben"

— To keep something (like a secret or money) within the family circle.

Das Erbe soll in der Familie bleiben, also geht es an die Kusine.

Standard

"Sich wie Bruder und Schwester sein"

— To be as close as siblings (common for cousins who grew up together).

Obwohl wir Kusinen sind, sind wir uns wie Schwestern.

Standard

"Jemanden an die Luft setzen"

— To kick someone out (could happen even to a cousin!).

Nach dem Streit hat sie ihre Kusine an die Luft gesetzt.

Colloquial

"Unter uns Gebetsbrüdern"

— Just between us (can be used in family settings).

Unter uns Gebetsbrüdern, die Kusine ist ein bisschen anstrengend.

Old-fashioned

"Da beißt die Maus keinen Faden ab"

— That's just how it is (e.g., she is your cousin, like it or not).

Sie ist deine Kusine, da beißt die Maus keinen Faden ab.

Colloquial

Fácil de confundir

die Kusine vs Kusine

Gender

Kusine is female, Cousin is male. This is the most common error for English speakers.

Meine Kusine (f) vs. mein Cousin (m).

die Kusine vs Nichte

Family level

A Nichte is one generation lower (daughter of sibling) than a Kusine (daughter of aunt/uncle).

Meine Nichte ist das Kind meines Bruders.

die Kusine vs Enkelin

Family level

An Enkelin is a granddaughter.

Meine Enkelin ist das Kind meiner Tochter.

die Kusine vs Base

Archaism

Base is the old word for Kusine; you'll see it in old literature but rarely hear it now.

Goethe schrieb oft über die 'Base'.

die Kusine vs Schwägerin

In-law

A Schwägerin is a sister-in-law (wife of brother or sister of spouse).

Meine Schwägerin ist mit meinem Bruder verheiratet.

Padrões de frases

Das ist meine Kusine [Name].

Das ist meine Kusine Sarah.

Ich habe eine Kusine in [Stadt].

Ich habe eine Kusine in Berlin.

Ich helfe meiner Kusine bei [Aktivität].

Ich helfe meiner Kusine beim Lernen.

Meine Kusine, die [Relativsatz], ...

Meine Kusine, die in London wohnt, kommt morgen.

Wegen meiner Kusine mussten wir...

Wegen meiner Kusine mussten wir den Termin verschieben.

Es ist die Kusine, der wir [Dativ-Objekt] verdanken.

Es ist die Kusine, der wir diesen Erfolg verdanken.

Ungeachtet der Meinung meiner Kusine...

Ungeachtet der Meinung meiner Kusine werde ich verreisen.

Die Kusine fungiert als...

Die Kusine fungiert als Bindeglied in der Familie.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

der Cousin (male cousin)

die Kusinen (plural)

die Großkusine (second cousin)

der Vetter (traditional male cousin)

die Base (archaic female cousin)

Verbos

verwandt sein (to be related)

Adjetivos

geschwisterlich (sibling-like)

verwandtschaftlich (familial)

kusinenhaft (cousin-like, rare)

Relacionado

die Tante (aunt)

der Onkel (uncle)

die Verwandtschaft (kinship)

der Stammbaum (family tree)

das Familientreffen (family gathering)

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Very high in family contexts.

Erros comuns

Mein Kusine → Meine Kusine
Kusine is feminine, so the possessive pronoun must also be feminine (meine).
Ich besuche mein Cousin (when referring to a female) → Ich besuche meine Kusine
You must use the feminine form for a female relative.
Ich danke meine Kusine → Ich danke meiner Kusine
The verb 'danken' requires the dative case (meiner).
Die Kusines → Die Kusinen
The plural is formed by adding -n, not -s.
Meine Kusin → Meine Kusine
The final 'e' is mandatory for the feminine noun.

Dicas

Check the Endings

Always check if you need 'die', 'eine', or 'meine'. Since it's feminine, the endings are usually '-e' in nominative and accusative.

The Final E

Don't swallow the final 'e'. It's what makes the word feminine and distinguishes it from the male 'Cousin'.

K vs C

While 'Cousine' is more common, 'Kusine' is easier to spell if you follow German rules. Just be consistent!

Introductions

When introducing your cousin, use 'Das ist meine Kusine [Name]'. It sounds warm and clear.

Extended Family

Learn 'Kusine' alongside 'Tante' and 'Onkel' to keep the family tree logic together.

Rhyme Time

Rhyme 'Kusine' with 'Biene' (bee). Imagine a female cousin dressed as a bee.

Mixed Groups

If you have a male and a female cousin together, use the masculine plural 'die Cousins'.

Genitive Ease

For 'my cousin's...', use 'meiner Kusine'. Example: 'Meiner Kusine ihr Hund' is slang; 'Der Hund meiner Kusine' is better.

Nasal vs E

Cousin (male) ends in a nasal French-style 'eng'. Kusine (female) ends in a clear 'nuh'.

Regionalisms

In some parts of Switzerland or Austria, you might still hear 'Base', but 'Kusine' will be understood everywhere.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine your cousin **Lisa** eating a **Kusine** (raisin - Rosine). They rhyme! Or think: 'Kusine' ends in 'e' for 'Eve' (female).

Associação visual

Picture a family tree where the branch for your aunt's daughter is highlighted in pink (feminine) with the label 'Kusine'.

Word Web

Familie Tante Onkel Verwandte Weiblich Cousin Nichte Blut

Desafio

Try to name all your female cousins out loud using the phrase: 'Meine erste Kusine ist [Name], meine zweite Kusine ist [Name]...'

Origem da palavra

Derived from the French word 'cousine', which entered the German language in the 17th/18th century during a period of heavy French cultural influence.

Significado original: Female cousin.

Indo-European (via Romance/French).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'Vetterleswirtschaft' is a negative term for corruption.

English speakers often struggle with the gender distinction. Remember: German is more specific than the English 'cousin'.

The 'Kusine' in Theodor Fontane's 'Effi Briest'. Cousin/Kusine dynamics in the TV show 'Dark' (complex family trees). Traditional songs about family gatherings.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Family Tree

Wer ist diese Kusine?
Sie ist verwandt mit...
Ein Teil des Stammbaums.
Die Tochter von Onkel Hans.

Weddings

Die Kusine der Braut.
Sie trägt ein schönes Kleid.
Ein Platz für die Kusine.
Die Kusinen gratulieren.

Introductions

Darf ich vorstellen: meine Kusine.
Das ist meine Kusine.
Kennst du meine Kusine?
Sie ist meine Kusine.

Childhood Memories

Wir haben als Kinder gespielt.
Meine Kusine war immer dabei.
Sommerferien bei der Kusine.
Streit mit der Kusine.

Legal/Official

Verwandtschaftsgrad: Kusine.
Die Kusine ist erbberechtigt.
Angaben zur Kusine.
Dokumente der Kusine.

Iniciadores de conversa

"Hast du viele Kusinen oder Cousins in deiner Familie?"

"Welche deiner Kusinen ist dir am nächsten?"

"Wann hast du das letzte Mal mit einer Kusine gesprochen?"

"Gibt es in deiner Familie eine lustige Geschichte über eine Kusine?"

"Wie oft triffst du deine Kusinen bei Familienfesten?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe deine Lieblingskusine. Wie sieht sie aus und was macht sie?

Schreibe über ein Kindheitserlebnis, das du mit einer Kusine geteilt hast.

Warum sind Cousins und Kusinen in einer Familie wichtig?

Stell dir vor, du besuchst eine Kusine in einer fremden Stadt. Was macht ihr?

Vergleiche deine Beziehung zu deinen Geschwistern mit der zu deinen Kusinen.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

There is no difference in meaning. 'Cousine' is the French spelling and 'Kusine' is the Germanized spelling. 'Cousine' is currently more popular in everyday use.

Yes, it is the standard word for a female cousin and is used frequently in family discussions.

German usually uses 'Kusine zweiten Grades' (second cousin) or explains the relationship: 'Die Tochter meiner Kusine'.

No, 'Kusine' is strictly feminine. For a male, use 'der Cousin'.

The plural is 'die Kusinen'.

It ends with a soft 'uh' sound (schwa), like the 'e' in 'bitte'.

No, 'Vetter' is an old word for a male cousin. The female equivalent of 'Vetter' was 'Base'.

Use 'meiner' in the dative case (e.g., 'Ich gebe meiner Kusine...') or genitive case (e.g., 'Das Haus meiner Kusine').

No, in German you must distinguish between 'Cousin' (male) and 'Kusine' (female).

No, you don't call someone 'Kusine Sarah' like you would 'Tante Sarah'. You just use their name.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas