die Kleinigkeit
trifle
A thing that is small, unimportant, or of little value. It can refer to a small problem, a small gift, or a small amount.
EXAMPLE
Mach dir keine Sorgen, das ist nur eine Kleinigkeit.
Don't worry, it's only a trifle.
die Kleinigkeit
trifle / snack
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Meanings
eine Kleinigkeit
snack
A small meal or a small snack. Often used in the phrase 'eine Kleinigkeit essen' (to have a little something to eat).
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Treffen möchte ich noch eine Kleinigkeit essen.
Before the meeting, I'd like to have a small snack.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Kleinigkeit' is derived from the adjective 'klein' (small). The ending '-keit' turns adjectives into nouns that describe a quality or thing. These nouns are always feminine.
EXAMPLE
Die Sauberkeit des Zimmers war eine Selbstverständlichkeit.
The cleanliness of the room was a matter of course.
Polite usage
In social situations, 'Kleinigkeit' (trifle, little something) is often used to sound modest. You say it when giving someone a gift ('Das ist nur eine Kleinigkeit' — It's only a little something) or when someone thanks you for help ('Das war doch eine Kleinigkeit' — It was nothing really).
EXAMPLE
Danke für das tolle Geschenk! – Ach, das ist doch nur eine Kleinigkeit.
Thank you for the wonderful gift! – Oh, it's only a little something.
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'sich über Kleinigkeiten aufregen' (to get upset about trifles) or 'sich um Kleinigkeiten streiten' (to argue about trifles) when referring to unimportant problems.
EXAMPLE
Bitte streitet euch nicht wegen so einer Kleinigkeit.
Please don't argue over such a trifle.
Context clue
You can almost always recognize the meaning 'small snack' from the verb 'essen' (to eat). The fixed phrase is 'eine Kleinigkeit essen' (to have a little something to eat).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe Hunger, lass uns schnell eine Kleinigkeit essen gehen.
I'm hungry; let's quickly go have a small snack.
Compare with
Kleinigkeit vs Imbiss
snack / snack bar
Both words can refer to something small to eat. „Eine Kleinigkeit“ is especially natural when you want to say that you only want to eat a little. „Imbiss“, by contrast, refers to the small meal itself and also works for a specific snack dish.
Kleinigkeit
Ich möchte vor dem Termin nur eine Kleinigkeit essen.
I only want to have a little something to eat before the appointment.
Imbiss
Ich hole mir vor dem Termin einen kleinen Imbiss.
I’m going to get a small snack before the appointment.
In real life
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