The German Diminutive
Introduction to the diminutive
The diminutive is formed in standard German by adding the suffixes –chen or –lein.
All diminutives are neuter. No suffix is added to form the plural.
For example, change the declension of die Zicke ( the goat) to ➜das Zicklein ( the kid)
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Zicklein | die Zicklein |
| Accusative | das Zicklein | die Zicklein |
| Dative | dem Zicklein | den Zicklein |
| Genitive | des Zickleins | der Zicklein |
An "Umlaut" is often added to the diminutive form. der Hund ( the dog) ➜das Hündchen ( puppy)
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Hündchen | die Hündchen |
| Accusative | das Hündchen | die Hündchen |
| Dative | dem Hündchen | den Hündchen |
| Genitive | des Hündchens | der Hündchen |
Common diminutives in German
das Mädchen
the girl
das Bisschen
a bit
The Word "Mädchen"
The German word das Mädchen ( girl) is very interesting:
- You’d think that the word "girl" would have to be feminine, but it’s neuter because it’s diminutive
- It comes from the word die Magd but the "g" is lost with the formation of the diminutive
- The word die Magd can form a diminutive as well with –lein: das Magdlein
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