bildungsroman
Say it: BIL-dungz-roh-mahn /ˈbɪldʊŋzrəʊˌmɑːn/ · noun
What “bildungsroman” means
A novel about growing up and becoming an adult.
More precisely: A novel about a young person's growth and education into adulthood.
When to use it
A literary term for a novel that follows a young person's growth through experiences that shape their adult identity.
Memory trick
German Bildung means education and Roman means novel: a novel of growing up.
Similar words
coming-of-age novel, novel of formation
Where it comes from
German Bildung 'education' and Roman 'novel'.
Quick check
A novel follows a shy teenager through mistakes, friendships and choices that shape her adult identity. What kind of novel is it?
a bildungsroman or a memoir?
Show the answer
a bildungsroman
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