Elternteil liebt das Kind.

the child

Breakdown of Elternteil liebt das Kind.

• lieben: to love
• das Elternteil: the parent

Questions & Answers about Elternteil liebt das Kind.

What does the word Elternteil mean, and how is it used in this sentence?

Elternteil literally means “parent.” Even though its root, Eltern, is plural (“parents”), the compound Elternteil is singular and refers to one parent.

Why is Elternteil used without an article, while das Kind includes the definite article das?

In German, articles can sometimes be omitted for stylistic or generic statements—especially in headlines or proverbs. Here, Elternteil appears without an article to express a general truth, while das Kind uses the article to define the specific noun. It also reflects that while the child is treated as a particular entity in this sentence, the focus is on the fact that “a parent loves the child” in a general sense.

How does the verb liebt agree with the subject Elternteil in this sentence?

The verb liebt is the third person singular form of lieben. Even though Elternteil incorporates the plural Eltern as its root, the compound itself is singular (referring to one parent), so the verb correctly appears as liebt.

What case is das Kind in, and how can you tell?