Introduction: Different Ways to Say “Little” in German
Learning German can be tricky, especially when words change based on context. A great example is the word “little”. In English, “little” has multiple meanings — small in size, a small amount, barely anything —and German has different words for each meaning.
This guide will help you understand the different words for “little” in German, when to use them, and how they change depending on the situation.
Common Ways to Say “Little” in German
Klein: Little/Small
Klein is the most common translation of “little” and is used when referring to size.
- Ein kleiner Hund. (A little dog.)
- Das ist ein kleines Haus. (This is a small house.)
Wenig: A Small Amount/Little
Wenig describes a small amount of something (money, time, food, etc.).
- Ich habe nur wenig Geld. (I have only a little money.)
- Es gibt nur wenig Essen. (There is only a little food.)
Ein Bisschen: A Little Bit
Ein bisschen is a casual way to say “a little bit.”
- Ich brauche noch ein bisschen Zeit. (I need a little more time.)
- Kannst du ein bisschen warten? (Can you wait a little?)
Knapp: Scarce/Barely Enough
Knapp means “barely enough” or “scarce.”
- Das Wasser ist knapp. (Water is scarce.)
- Die Zeit ist knapp. (Time is short.)
Winzig: Tiny
Winzig is used when something is very small.
- Ein winziges Insekt. (A tiny insect.)
- Das Baby hat winzige Hände. (The baby has tiny hands.)
Formal & Technical Ways to Say “Little” in German
Gering: Low/Small
Gering describes in formal or technical contexts a small amount.
- Ein geringes Risiko. (A low risk.)
- Die Kosten sind gering. (The costs are low.)
Geringfügig: Minor
Geringfügig refers to something insignificant.
- Es gibt nur geringfügige Unterschiede. (There are only minor differences.)
- Die Änderungen sind geringfügig. (The changes are minor.)
Minimal: Minimal
Minimal is similar to “minimal” in English and is common in technical writing.
- Ein minimaler Unterschied. (A minimal difference.)
- Der Aufwand ist minimal. (The effort is minimal.)
Spärlich: Sparse
Spärlich describes something with a low density (population, vegetation, etc.).
- Spärlich besiedelt. (Sparsely populated.)
- Die Vegetation ist spärlich. (The vegetation is sparse.)
Regional & Colloquial Variations of “Little” in German
Mini: Very Small in Size
Mini is a casual way to describe something very small.
- Ein Minirock. (A miniskirt.)
- Ein Miniauto. (A mini car.)
Lütt: Northern German Dialect
Lütt is used in Northern Germany for “little/small.”
- Ein lütter Junge. (A little boy.)
- Eine lütte Katze. (A little cat.)
Kaum: Hardly/Barely
Kaum means “hardly” or “barely.”
- Er hat kaum gegessen. (He ate hardly anything.)
- Es ist kaum zu glauben. (It is hardly believable.)
Conclusion
Understanding the different words for “little” in German will improve your fluency and ability to express ideas accurately. Whether you’re speaking informally or writing formally, using the right word makes a big difference. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll use these words naturally in conversation!
FAQ: Common Questions About “Little” in German
How do you say “little” in German?
The most common word for “little” in German is klein. However, depending on the context, you might use wenig, gering, or ein bisschen.
How to say “little” in a formal way?
In formal situations, words like gering or geringfügig are more appropriate, especially in business or technical writing.
Do adjectives like “little” change in German?
Adjectives in German can change based on the case and gender of the noun. For more details, check out this guide on German adjective declension.
