small group
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small group
A small number of people who come together for a specific purpose, for example to learn, discuss, or work on a task. The manageable size allows for intensive collaboration.
Im Seminar wurden wir für die Projektarbeit in mehrere Kleingruppen aufgeteilt.
In the seminar, we were divided into several small groups for the project work.
The word is transparently composed of the adjective 'klein' (small) and the noun 'Gruppe' (group). So it simply refers to a group with few members.
Eine Kleingruppe von Demonstranten versammelte sich vor dem Rathaus.
A small group of demonstrators gathered in front of the town hall.
The component 'Klein-' is used in many German words to refer to a smaller version of something, e.g. 'Kleinstadt' (small town), 'Kleingarten' (allotment garden), or 'Kleingeld' (small change).
Für den Automaten brauche ich etwas Kleingeld.
I need some small change for the machine.
The word is especially common in learning and work contexts with the preposition 'in'. Typical phrases are 'in Kleingruppen arbeiten' (to work in small groups), 'sich in Kleingruppen aufteilen' (to split up into small groups), or 'etwas in einer Kleingruppe besprechen' (to discuss something in a small group).
Die Schüler sollen die Aufgabe in Kleingruppen bearbeiten.
The students should work on the task in small groups.
round
Runde and Kleingruppe can both refer to several people taking part in a conversation or working on a task. Runde emphasizes the shared conversational setting, while Kleingruppe emphasizes the small, manageable number of participants and their collaboration. Runde fits social conversation, while Kleingruppe is more suitable for a small working group.
Für die Aufgabe arbeitete die Klasse in einer Kleingruppe zusammen.
The class worked together in a small group on the task.
Nach dem Essen sprach die Runde noch lange über die Reise.
After dinner, the group talked about the trip for a long time.
