Bildungsroman – Definition, Meaning & Use In A Sentence

Understanding the accurate definitions of words is essential in academic writing to guarantee effective communication of concepts. However, some students might misuse common words without realizing what they truly mean. In academic settings where technical terms are common, not knowing the true meaning of a word can cause confusion. This article thoroughly breaks down the etymology, definition, and proper usage of the word “Bildungsroman.”

Use of “Bildungsroman” in a sentence

When you use the word “Bildungsroman” in a sentence, it primarily functions as a noun. This foreign term describes a popular genre among bibliophiles, or book lovers, in the world of literature. The Bildungsroman classifies as a specific type of coming-of-age literature, as it addresses universal themes of growth, struggles, and eventual self-actualization that resonate with readers at various stages of life. They usually follow the structure of a specific disruption of the protagonist‘s life, followed by a journey or new experiences, a conflict, or struggle, and end with character development. Popular book examples of this genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist are “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Harry Potter” by J. K. Rowling, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.

How to spell “Bildungsroman” correctly

The term “Bildungsroman” originated from the combination of two German words; “Bildung,” meaning “education” and “Roman,” referring to novels. Thus, a Bildungsroman is a novel of education. Since the noun is a loanword borrowed directly from German, where it is usually capitalized, it often retains capitalization in its original language usage. It’s very common to encounter “Bildungsroman” with a capital “B,” but many writers use it in lowercase as well.

If you want to respect the German rules of noun capitalization, then you are free to do so. Loanwords are typically written in lowercase, unless they’re titles or names. Though many loanwords undergo some adaptation to fit the phonetic systems of the host language, such as the German word “kindergarten,” the Japanese word “sushi,” and the French word “ballet.”  Essentially, it’s important to be consistent in the rules you follow.