German word

Kleine

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈklaɪ̯nə/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)little one

Example

Ich rufe die Kleine.

I'm calling the little one.

Illustration for Kleine (little one)

More examples

Ich halte die Kleine im Arm.

I hold the little one in my arms.

Core concept

A familiar little child singled out in a group, with the child's small size serving as the label.

Common phrases

  • für die Kleine sorgen

    take care of the little one

  • die Kleine im Arm halten

    hold the little one in my arms

  • auf die Kleine achten

    keep an eye on the little one

Similar words

Kind: A general term for a child at any stage of childhood.
Kleinkind: A small child in the early years who still needs substantial help.
Baby: A baby in the earliest stage of life.

Definition in German

Nominalisierte Form des Adjektivs 'klein' für ein kleines Kind, oft in der weiblichen Form als die Kleine gebraucht.

Word origin

The noun comes from the German adjective klein through adjective substantivization, and klein continues an inherited Germanic word found in earlier German as klein.

Usage tips

  • Substantivized adjectives are capitalized but keep adjective endings: die Kleine, der Kleine, and das Kleine have different gender and meaning by context.

Other meanings

  • little girlnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word