klitzeklein
tiny
Very small; tiny and often barely noticeable. The word is usually used in colloquial language or for emphasis.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Tisch lag ein klitzekleiner Zettel.
There was a tiny note on the table.
klitzeklein
tiny
klitzeklein – klitzekleiner – am klitzekleinsten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry klitzeklein, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | klitzeklein |
|---|---|
| comparative | klitzekleiner |
| superlative | am klitzekleinsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to klitzeklein.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to klitzeklein.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to klitzeklein.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Klitzeklein' combines the intensifying element 'klitze-' with 'klein' (small). The repetition of the idea of smallness makes the word especially expressive.
EXAMPLE
Die Maus war so klitzeklein, dass sie durch den Spalt passte.
The mouse was so tiny that it fit through the gap.
Style and expression
'Klitzeklein' sounds personal and vivid and is especially well suited to spoken language, stories, and emotional descriptions. In factual texts, it often sounds deliberately lively.
EXAMPLE
Meine Nichte hat mir ein klitzekleines Bild gemalt.
My niece painted me a tiny picture.
Typical collocations
'Klitzeklein' is often used with things that can easily be overlooked, such as a detail, a hole, a mistake, or a tiny piece.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Bildschirm war ein klitzekleines Detail zu erkennen.
A tiny detail could be seen on the screen.
In real life
Loading video examples...