Usage Note
Waisenkind is a child who has lost one or both parents. If both parents have died, the child is a Vollwaise (full orphan); if only one parent is dead, a Halbwaise (half-orphan). The term is used literally and occasionally in a figurative or pitying sense.
Examples
"Das Waisenkind wurde von einer Pflegefamilie aufgenommen."
Natural Translation
The orphan was taken in by a foster family.
Literal Translation
The orphan-child was by a foster-family taken in.
Related Words
Explore German by topic
