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.
group
'Gruppe' and 'Kleingruppe' both mean several people who work together or belong together. 'Gruppe' is general and does not say anything definite about the size. A 'Kleingruppe' is explicitly small and often has a specific purpose, for example learning, discussing, or working on a task. Learners may confuse the words because every 'Kleingruppe' is also a 'Gruppe'. When the small size and close collaboration are important, 'Kleingruppe' is more precise. Otherwise, 'Gruppe' is enough.
Heute bespricht Herr Müller die Aufgabe mit einer Kleingruppe.
Today Mr. Müller discusses the task with a small group.
Nach der Pause stellt jede Gruppe ihre Idee kurz vor.
After the break, each group briefly presents its idea.