das Körnchen
grain
A very small grain or tiny, usually solid particle of a granular substance.
EXAMPLE
In der Suppe schwamm ein Körnchen Pfeffer.
A grain of pepper was floating in the soup.
das Körnchen
grain
das Körnchen, die Körnchen
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Meanings
ein Körnchen Wahrheit
a grain of truth
A small true part of an otherwise possibly exaggerated or false statement.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Geschichte steckt immerhin ein Körnchen Wahrheit.
There is at least a grain of truth in his story.
Forms
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Körnchen |
| genitive | des Körnchens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Körnchen | die Körnchen |
| accusative | das Körnchen | die Körnchen |
| dative | dem Körnchen | den Körnchen |
| genitive | des Körnchens | der Körnchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Körnchen' consists of 'Korn' (grain) and the diminutive suffix '-chen'. With the diminutive, 'o' changes to 'ö'; '-chen' turns the grain into a very small grain.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Tisch lag nur noch ein Körnchen Reis.
There was only one grain of rice left on the table.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'Körnchen' often appears with substances made up of many small solid particles. Typical collocations include 'ein Körnchen Salz' (a grain of salt), 'ein Körnchen Pfeffer' (a grain of pepper), and 'ein Körnchen Zucker' (a grain of sugar).
EXAMPLE
Für die Suppe fehlt noch ein Körnchen Salz.
The soup still needs a grain of salt.
Fixed expression
'Ein Körnchen Wahrheit' (a grain of truth) is a fixed expression. It often appears in the phrase 'in einer Geschichte oder Aussage steckt ein Körnchen Wahrheit' (there is a grain of truth in a story or statement) and signals that only a small part is true.
EXAMPLE
Auch in dem Gerücht über den neuen Lehrer steckt ein Körnchen Wahrheit.
There is also a grain of truth in the rumor about the new teacher.
In real life
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