Diminutive (-lein, -chen) in German
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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
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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
Exercise of diminutive nouns in German
Fill in the missing diminutive!
Recap:
The diminutive is built by adding the suffixes -chen or -lein to the ending of a noun. The gender of all diminutives is neuter. Like all nouns, diminutives have to be adapted to their case. Diminutive nouns don't have a additional ending in plural.
1. Transform the noun in the brackets to a diminutive noun with the ending -lein.
huscht ins Loch. (Maus, Nominative)
(The little mouse scurries into the hole.)
Gib die Hand. (Zicke, Dative)
(Give the miss the hand.)
steht auf der Wiese. (Schaf, Nominative)
(The sheep is in the meadow.)
Loch ist im Keller. (Maus, Genitive)
(The hole of the mouse is in the basement.)
Ich mag . (Buch, Accusative)
(I like the little book.)
2. Transform the noun in the brackets to a diminutive noun with the ending -chen.
ist hoch! (Summe, Nominative)
Ich geb das dort drüben. (Mann, Dative)
Haus ist in der Nebenstraße. (Mann, Genitive)
steht im Garten. (Mann, Nominative)
Ich mag nicht! (Mann, Accusative)
Exercise of the German diminutive!
Exercise of the diminutive in German
Fill in the missing diminutive!
1. Ending -chen
die Maus - das
der Vogel - das
das Haus - das
die Dose - das
die Rose - das
das Pferd - das
der Mann - das
das Haus - das
die Summe - das
2. Ending -lein
die Dose - das
die Rose - das
das Pferd - das
der Mann - das
das Haus - das
die Summe - das
der Kuss - das
Exercises
- Exercise of diminutive nouns in German
- Exercise of the German diminutive!
- Exercise of the diminutive in German
Exercise of diminutive nouns in German
Fill in the missing diminutive!
Recap:
The diminutive is built by adding the suffixes -chen or -lein to the ending of a noun. The gender of all diminutives is neuter. Like all nouns, diminutives have to be adapted to their case. Diminutive nouns don't have a additional ending in plural.
1. Transform the noun in the brackets to a diminutive noun with the ending -lein.
huscht ins Loch. (Maus, Nominative)
(The little mouse scurries into the hole.)
Gib die Hand. (Zicke, Dative)
(Give the miss the hand.)
steht auf der Wiese. (Schaf, Nominative)
(The sheep is in the meadow.)
Loch ist im Keller. (Maus, Genitive)
(The hole of the mouse is in the basement.)
Ich mag . (Buch, Accusative)
(I like the little book.)
2. Transform the noun in the brackets to a diminutive noun with the ending -chen.
ist hoch! (Summe, Nominative)
Ich geb das dort drüben. (Mann, Dative)
Haus ist in der Nebenstraße. (Mann, Genitive)
steht im Garten. (Mann, Nominative)
Ich mag nicht! (Mann, Accusative)
Exercise of the German diminutive!
Exercise of the diminutive in German
Fill in the missing diminutive!
1. Ending -chen
die Maus - das
der Vogel - das
das Haus - das
die Dose - das
die Rose - das
das Pferd - das
der Mann - das
das Haus - das
die Summe - das
2. Ending -lein
die Dose - das
die Rose - das
das Pferd - das
der Mann - das
das Haus - das
die Summe - das
der Kuss - das
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Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
As always, her lessons are great! She takes time to prepare in advance the lesson and pesonalised material for your needs.
Mihaela S.
I am a German native speaker who loves languages and am passionate about teaching others. I work as language teacher in a school, teach adults at the German Culture Center and prepare my students for all types of official language exams. I love my job and always seek to make it as much fun as possible.
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My lessons are needs-oriented. That means that learning goals are discussed with you and based on your level of knowledge. Whether grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation, expression or the practice of communication situations: German as a foreign and second language classes are flexible and take place in a group or one-to-one lessons with individual support and are based on your wishes and requirements. The teaching of content and topics takes place according to the respective language level. Building vocabulary, grammar and means of speaking are structured and conveyed logically building on each other. Let's get to know each other in a free trial class. I am looking forward to meeting you!
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For myself I learned Italian three years ago with this method so I also know what it is like to learn a language and I can help you with my teaching to learn German that way.
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After training as a pastry chef and studying business administration, I traveled a lot and discovered my interest in languages. To find out more about teaching languages, I decided on further training at the Goethe Institute and completed it. During the Goethe Institute "Learn to teach German" course I was able to give individual language lessons and actively support the examination preparation for the Goethe certificate.
My lessons are needs-oriented. That means that learning goals are discussed with you and based on your level of knowledge. Whether grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation, expression or the practice of communication situations: German as a foreign and second language classes are flexible and take place in a group or one-to-one lessons with individual support and are based on your wishes and requirements. The teaching of content and topics takes place according to the respective language level. Building vocabulary, grammar and means of speaking are structured and conveyed logically building on each other. Let's get to know each other in a free trial class. I am looking forward to meeting you!
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Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
H. Z.
Lessons with Mihaela are always well organised. She is undoubtedly proficient in German and can give useful tips. There is plenty of study materials provided. It is always possible to look at these materials even after the lesson since Mihaela writes downs every vocabulary that is discussed. She is always happy to tailor the lesson according to student's wishes/needs. I'm very satisfied.
Thank you very much Hana :)
Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
As always, her lessons are great! She takes time to prepare in advance the lesson and pesonalised material for your needs.
Mihaela S.
I am a German native speaker who loves languages and am passionate about teaching others. I work as language teacher in a school, teach adults at the German Culture Center and prepare my students for all types of official language exams. I love my job and always seek to make it as much fun as possible.
D. .
I recommend Her; My teacher Melanie is a dynamic and friendly teacher, very knowledgeable, flexible and open to discussions on any subject. available to check my exercises and flexible regarding class time slots. Very nice experience! She immediately understood my goals and was able to help me improve my skills. I recommend her to anyone who wants to take and pass their exams and improve their German skills.
Hello Douaa, thank you. I am happy that I could help you and I had fun. I wish you all the best.
Hi, I am Christin!
After training as a pastry chef and studying business administration, I traveled a lot and discovered my interest in languages. To find out more about teaching languages, I decided on further training at the Goethe Institute and completed it. During the Goethe Institute "Learn to teach German" course I was able to give individual language lessons and actively support the examination preparation for the Goethe certificate.
My lessons are needs-oriented. That means that learning goals are discussed with you and based on your level of knowledge. Whether grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation, expression or the practice of communication situations: German as a foreign and second language classes are flexible and take place in a group or one-to-one lessons with individual support and are based on your wishes and requirements. The teaching of content and topics takes place according to the respective language level. Building vocabulary, grammar and means of speaking are structured and conveyed logically building on each other. Let's get to know each other in a free trial class. I am looking forward to meeting you!
A. B.
Hello, Wie gehts? Ich heiße Anna! What can I say? Learning German language isn´t easy but I´m happy to say that I´ve chosen the right teacher for me. She is very nice and patient. She happily answered all my questions and explain things in a way you can understand easily. She gives you different homeworks in which sometimes I can´t submit on time because I´m currently undergoing surgery and therapy but she is so understanding about it. Now, I somewhat understand some German writings I´ve read without translating it, and i´m just so happy that I am making progress. Thanks Christin!
Christin E.
Hello,
my name is Veronika and I am a student in Florence at the academy of fine arts. I have been in Italy for three years and I really like the Italian language. In school i learned english and during journeys i used to speak a lot of english so i'm also able to teach in english.
I am from Germany so I am a German native speaker. I have already taught German to some of my friends and would love to teach my language to more people as well. At the beginning I would like to do grammar lessons and the most used words to deepen the basic knowledge of the language. Then I will continue to have conversations in German to increase vocabulary and to give confidence in dialogue and in any case in speaking the language in real scenarios. The most important thing by learning a new language is to learn it through hearing and speaking. Being difficult at first to formulate sentences will then become easier and easier and thus you arrive at a fluent and confident way to speak the new language.
For myself I learned Italian three years ago with this method so I also know what it is like to learn a language and I can help you with my teaching to learn German that way.
I can not wait to start!
greetings Veronika
B. L.
My experience with Veronika as a teacher was and still is really good. In order to reach my goals, she has setup a structured schedule and has provided good learning material. Due to my work, I had to reschedule some of my lessons and she always showed understanding in this regards. She is very friendly and easy to talk to. I can only recommend her!
Thank you very much!!!