kümmerlich
puny
Weakly developed, small, and lacking strength; of low quality or effectiveness.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem trockenen Boden wuchs nur ein kümmerlicher Baum.
Only a puny tree grew in the dry soil.
kümmerlich
puny / meager / pitiful
kümmerlich – kümmerlicher – am kümmerlichsten
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
kümmerlich
meager
Very small or scanty, so that it is barely sufficient.
EXAMPLE
Für die lange Reise hatten sie nur einen kümmerlichen Vorrat an Wasser.
They had only a meager supply of water for the long journey.
kümmerlich
pitiful
Appearing deserving of pity, wretched, or miserable.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Mann lebte in einer kümmerlichen Hütte am Stadtrand.
The old man lived in a pitiful hut on the outskirts of the city.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry kümmerlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | kümmerlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | kümmerlicher |
| superlative | am kümmerlichsten |
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 kümmerlich.
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 kümmerlich.
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 kümmerlich.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
For weak growth or low quality, 'kümmerlich' (puny) is often used with plants, animals, or results. Typical collocations include 'kümmerliche Pflanze' (puny plant), 'kümmerlicher Wuchs' (puny growth), and 'kümmerliche Leistung' (poor performance).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Lichtmangels zeigte die Pflanze nur einen kümmerlichen Wuchs.
Because of the lack of light, the plant showed only puny growth.
Small quantity
When referring to quantities and available resources, 'kümmerlich' (meager) emphasizes that something is barely sufficient. It is often used with words such as 'Vorrat' (supply), 'Einkommen' (income), 'Rest' (remainder), or 'Auswahl' (selection).
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrem kümmerlichen Einkommen konnte sie die steigenden Kosten kaum bezahlen.
With her meager income, she could barely pay the rising costs.
Strongly evaluative
'Kümmerlich' (pitiful) is strongly derogatory and describes a person, place, or situation in a way that conveys pity or contempt. The word is therefore often emotional and should be used deliberately in factual descriptions.
EXAMPLE
Sie führten jahrelang ein kümmerliches Leben ohne Hoffnung auf Verbesserung.
They led a pitiful life for years, with no hope of improvement.
In real life
Loading video examples...