das Steinchen
small stone
A very small stone; the diminutive form of 'Stein' (stone).
EXAMPLE
Das Kind warf ein Steinchen ins Wasser und beobachtete die Ringe.
The child threw a small stone into the water and watched the ripples.
das Steinchen
small stone / little gem
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Steinchen
little gem
A small, often cut gemstone or decorative stone that is set into a piece of jewelry.
EXAMPLE
Der Verlobungsring war mit einem zentralen Diamanten und vielen kleinen Steinchen verziert.
The engagement ring was decorated with a central diamond and many little gems.
Usage tips
Word structure: diminutive
'Steinchen' (small stone/little gem) is the diminutive form of 'der Stein' (stone). The ending '-chen' makes the word neuter ('das') and expresses that something is small.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Sohn sammelt am Strand bunte Steinchen.
My little son collects colorful small stones on the beach.
Context clue
Context tells you whether a small stone or a decorative gemstone is meant. In connection with nature, paths, or shoes, it means an ordinary stone. In the context of jewelry, rings, or dresses, it means a small gemstone.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ein lästiges Steinchen im Wanderschuh.
I have an annoying small stone in my hiking boot.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'small stone', the word often appears in fixed phrases, for example 'ein Steinchen ins Wasser werfen' (to throw a small stone into the water) or 'ein Steinchen im Schuh haben' (to have a small stone in one's shoe).
EXAMPLE
Er saß am Seeufer und warf gedankenverloren Steinchen ins Wasser.
He sat on the lakeshore and absentmindedly threw small stones into the water.
Compare with
Steinchen vs Edelstein
gemstone
A small cut stone in a piece of jewelry can be called either an Edelstein or a Steinchen. Edelstein emphasizes that the mineral is rare and valuable; Steinchen mainly highlights its small size and the fact that it has been set into a piece of jewelry.
Steinchen
In dem Ring sitzen mehrere kleine geschliffene Steinchen.
Several small cut stones are set in the ring.
Edelstein
In dem Ring sitzt ein seltener, wertvoller Edelstein.
A rare, valuable gemstone is set in the ring.
In real life
Loading video examples...