der Kleinkram
small stuff
Small, usually unimportant things or objects that are not named more specifically.
EXAMPLE
Den ganzen Kleinkram auf dem Schreibtisch räume ich später weg.
I’ll put away all the small stuff on the desk later.
der Kleinkram
small stuff / odds and ends
der Kleinkram
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Meanings
der Kleinkram
trivial matters
Unimportant, secondary matters or tasks.
EXAMPLE
Um den Kleinkram kümmern wir uns morgen, zuerst müssen wir das Hauptproblem lösen.
We’ll deal with the trivial matters tomorrow; first, we have to solve the main problem.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kleinkram, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Kleinkrams |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Kleinkram | – |
| accusative | den Kleinkram | – |
| dative | dem Kleinkram | – |
| genitive | des Kleinkrams des Kleinkrames | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
„Kleinkram“ (small stuff) is made up of „klein“ (small) and „Kram“ (stuff). The compound therefore refers to a collection of small things or secondary matters that are not named individually.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Umzug muss ich noch den ganzen Kleinkram aus den Schubladen sortieren.
Before moving, I still have to sort through all the small stuff in the drawers.
Register and tone
„Kleinkram“ (small stuff) is mainly used in informal speech and often sounds slightly dismissive or annoyed. The word shows that the speaker considers these things or tasks to be of little importance.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte heute nicht den ganzen Kleinkram besprechen, sondern eine wichtige Entscheidung treffen.
I don’t want to discuss all the small stuff today; I want to make an important decision instead.
Context clue
When „Kleinkram“ (small stuff) refers to objects lying around or collected somewhere, it usually means things. When it is used with verbs such as „erledigen“ (to take care of), „besprechen“ (to discuss), or „sich kümmern um“ (to deal with), it usually refers to secondary tasks or matters.
EXAMPLE
In der Kiste liegt nur Kleinkram wie Kabel, Knöpfe und alte Batterien.
There’s only small stuff in the box, such as cables, buttons, and old batteries.
Nach dem Meeting erledige ich noch den Kleinkram im Büro.
After the meeting, I’ll take care of the remaining trivial matters in the office.
In real life
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