Diminutive (-lein, -chen) in German
Online language lessons with native teachers
Skype teachers
Free trial lesson
Flexible appointments
Diminutive (-lein, -chen) in German
Lesson Outline
HideWhat is a diminutive in German?
A diminutive is a tranformed noun, which expresses a smaller, cuter or younger of the noun. The nouns are transformed by the suffixes -lein or -chen. The diminutive is an informal way of expression.
For example:
- die Maus - das Mäuschen
- der Vogel - das Vögelchen
- der Mann - das Männlein
How to build the German diminutive?
To form the diminutive of noun you have to add the suffixes -chen or -lein. In addition the vowel of radical is transformed into an Umlaut (ä,ö,ü). The gender of all diminutives is always neuter. The plural form do not have an additional ending in all cases.
This table shows you the declension and the transformation of the diminutive with the help of the noun: das Haus - das Häuslein (house).
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Häuslein | die Häuslein |
| accusative | das Häuslein | die Häuslein |
| dative | dem Häuslein | den Häuslein |
| genitive | des Häusleins | der Häuslein |
This table shows you the declension and the transformation of the diminutive with the help of the noun: die Maus - das Mäuschen (mouse).
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Mäuschen | die Mäuschen |
| accusative | das Mäuschen | die Mäuschen |
| dative | dem Mäuschen | den Mäuschen |
| genitive | des Mäuschen | der Mäuschen |
When to use the diminutive?
The diminutives are used to describe something young, cute or small.
They are also often used in fairy tales.
Example:
Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand, Wer ist die Schönste im ganzen Land? - Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?
Rotkäppchen - little red riding hood
You have learned a form of nouns to express little or very cute things. Go on and practice knew knowledge. Try our fun and interactive exercises.
Exercises
Exercise of diminutive nouns in German
Exercise of the German diminutive!
Exercise of the diminutive in German
Practise with a private teacher on Skype!
4.8/5 from 3 reviews
- Private Skype lessons
- Learn any topic
- Flexible appointments
I speak: German, Spanish, English I teach: German, Spanish
I am Marcus Hartmann, 30 years old and I have been living in Cali, Colombia, for more than four years. There I work as a German teacher for... Spanish-speaking people, young and old. I love the German language and develop many modern methodologies to make the German more playful and easier to learn. I also run a blog and a Facebook page, where I present many tips and tricks that make learning German easier. I teach German for all levels and Spanish for beginners. Read more
Great choice! Students book in average more than 10 lessons!
Very experienced teacher!
Very experienced teacher!
24.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours
I speak: German, English I teach: German
Hello, my name is Claus !For many years I teach students from all over the world as a professional teacher of the German language. With a lot of... experience and patience I lead my students to their to teach successfully and with fun. I offer you general language courses of B1- C2 with test preparations, as well as courses in Business German (prerequisites are language proficiency in German from level B1 +!). Read more
Great choice! Students book in average more than 10 lessons!
Very experienced teacher!
This teacher is one of our premium members. A premium teacher is very motivated to provide an excellent learning experience.
Very experienced teacher!
This teacher is one of our premium members. A premium teacher is very motivated to provide an excellent learning experience.
15.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours
I speak: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish I teach: German, Italian
Hi! I am Donatella, I'm Italian and I have been living in Vienna since 2009. I teach Italian and German as a foreign language. I really... like teaching and I enjoy it! Every day I have the great chance to work together with people with different ages, backgroung and learning goals. Thanks to my job I can broaden and deepen my knowledge and skills and of course meet people from all over the world. Foreign languages represent my first interest, as a learner too. After having experienced a distance learning course I find the e-learning a personal, specific and practical method to learn, improve or polish up a foreign language! I would be glad to hear from you! Read more
Great choice! Students book in average more than 10 lessons!
20.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours