Word
Die Mutter zahlt dem Sohn den Unterhalt.
Meaning
The mother pays the son child support.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Die Mutter zahlt dem Sohn den Unterhalt.
die Mutter
the mother
der Sohn
the son
zahlen
to pay (settle up)
der Unterhalt
the child support
Questions & Answers about Die Mutter zahlt dem Sohn den Unterhalt.
Why does dem Sohn come before den Unterhalt in this sentence?
In German, when a sentence has two noun objects, the dative object (the receiver or beneficiary, dem Sohn) naturally comes before the accusative object (the thing being acted upon, den Unterhalt). Note that if we replaced both nouns with pronouns, the order would flip to accusative first: Die Mutter zahlt ihn ihm.
Why is there a definite article (den) before Unterhalt, when English just says 'child support'?
German frequently uses definite articles for abstract concepts, general categories, or specific legal and financial terms where English leaves them out. Because this refers to the specific, legally or socially expected financial support, den Unterhalt is the natural way to phrase it.
Does the word Unterhalt only mean 'child support'?
No, der Unterhalt more broadly means 'maintenance', 'livelihood', or 'financial support'. In family contexts, it translates to child support or alimony (spousal support) depending on who receives it. Here, because it is paid to the son, it clearly means child support.