01
der Krümel
crumb
A very small, broken-off piece of something, especially of pastry, bread, or cake.
example
Nach dem Frühstück waren überall Krümel auf dem Tisch.
After breakfast, there were crumbs all over the table.
der Krümel
crumb
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Krümel' (crumb) is directly connected to the verb 'krümeln' (to crumble / shed crumbs). When something 'krümelt', for example a cookie, crumbs are produced.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, der Keks krümelt auf das Sofa!
Watch out, the cookie is shedding crumbs onto the sofa!
Typical collocations
'Krümel' (crumb) is often combined with the material it consists of, for example 'Brotkrümel' (bread crumbs) or 'Kuchenkrümel' (cake crumbs). Typical verbs are 'aufwischen' (to wipe up), 'wegfegen' (to sweep away), or 'zusammenkehren' (to sweep up).
EXAMPLE
Könntest du bitte die Brotkrümel vom Tisch wischen?
Could you please wipe the bread crumbs off the table?
Register and style
In this meaning, 'Krümel' (little one) is an affectionate and colloquial pet name for a small child. It is used to express affection.
EXAMPLE
Komm her, mein kleiner Krümel, und gib mir einen Kuss.
Come here, my little one, and give me a kiss.
Context clue
Whether a food remnant or a child is meant becomes immediately clear from the context. If a person is addressed directly, often with the adjective 'klein' (small/little), it is the pet name.
EXAMPLE
Hallo du kleiner Krümel, wie war dein Tag im Kindergarten?
Hello, you little one, how was your day at kindergarten?
Compare with
Krümel vs Korn
grain / schnapps / sight
'das Korn' and 'der Krümel' can both refer to something very small. 'Korn' fits small, hard particles, for example sand, salt, or sugar. 'Krümel' fits small pieces that have broken off from bread, cake, or pastries. The words can be confusing because both things are small. The difference lies in the material: a 'Korn' is more like a small particle, while a 'Krümel' is more like a broken-off piece of something edible.
Krümel
Nach dem Frühstück lagen viele Krümel unter dem Tisch.
After breakfast, there were lots of crumbs under the table.
Korn
Zwischen meinen Zähnen war noch ein Korn Sand.
There was still a grain of sand between my teeth.
In real life
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