Stiefmutter
stepmother
Intermediate Noun Feminine
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Pronunciation
/ˈʃtiːfˌmʊtɐ/
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Cultural Note
The prefix 'Stief-' comes from Old High German and originally meant 'bereaved.' The Stiefmutter has a negative connotation in German fairy tales (Grimm's Cinderella, Snow White), but modern usage is neutral. The word 'stiefmütterlich' (stepmotherly) means 'neglectful.'
📝 Example Sentences
Seine Stiefmutter ist sehr nett.
His stepmother is very nice.
Die Stiefmutter kümmert sich liebevoll um die Kinder.
The stepmother takes loving care of the children.