01
das Bäumchen
small tree
A small tree. It is the diminutive form of "Baum" (tree).
example
Im Garten haben wir ein junges Apfelbäumchen gepflanzt.
We planted a young little apple tree in the garden.
das Bäumchen
small tree
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure: diminutive
"Bäumchen" (small tree) is the diminutive form of "der Baum" (the tree). The ending "-chen" makes the noun neuter (das) and often adds an umlaut (a → ä).
EXAMPLE
Jedes Nomen mit der Endung -chen ist sächlich, zum Beispiel „das Mädchen“ oder „das Häuschen“.
Every noun with the ending -chen is neuter, for example "das Mädchen" (the girl) or "das Häuschen" (the little house).
Typical collocations
As a small, young tree, "Bäumchen" (small tree) is often combined with verbs of care. Typical phrases are "ein Bäumchen pflanzen" (to plant a small tree), "ein Bäumchen gießen" (to water a small tree), or "ein Bäumchen schneiden" (to prune a small tree).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen das junge Bäumchen regelmäßig gießen, damit es gut wächst.
We have to water the young little tree regularly so that it grows well.
Emotional meaning
The ending "-chen" not only expresses that something is small, but often also an emotional connection such as affection. A "Bäumchen" (small tree) is therefore not just a small tree, but often one that someone takes care of.
EXAMPLE
Oma pflegt ihr kleines Rosenbäumchen auf dem Balkon mit viel Liebe.
Grandma lovingly cares for her little rose tree on the balcony.
Compare with
Bäumchen vs Baum
tree
'Baum' and 'Bäumchen' both refer to a plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves or needles. The difference is mainly in size and tone. 'Baum' is the normal, neutral word. 'Bäumchen' is the diminutive form and means a small tree, often a young or especially small tree. It can also sound somewhat affectionate. Learners may confuse the words because they belong to the same thing. If size is not important, you usually use 'Baum'; if you want to emphasize the small size, 'Bäumchen' fits.
Bäumchen
Nach der Arbeit pflanzt Lena ein kleines Bäumchen in den Garten.
After work, Lena plants a small tree in the garden.
Baum
Vor unserem Haus steht ein alter Baum, der im Sommer viel Schatten gibt.
In front of our house there is an old tree that gives a lot of shade in summer.
In real life
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