Märchen

fairy tale

noun MAIR-khen Rare

Origin: diminutive of older Mär, 'tidings'

Also means

tall story

Usage Note

Märchen is a folk fairy tale, the genre of the Brothers Grimm, and is neuter despite the -chen ending feeling diminutive. Colloquially Das ist ein Märchen! means "That's a fib!" The plural is unchanged.

Examples

"Großmutter erzählte uns jeden Abend ein Märchen."

Natural Translation

Grandmother told us a fairy tale every evening.

Literal Translation

Grandmother told us each evening a fairy-tale.

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