die / der  Kleine

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklaɪ̯nə/

📖 What do 'die Kleine' and 'der Kleine' mean?

'Kleine' is the substantivized form of the adjective 'klein' (small). The article changes depending on the gender of the person being referred to:

• die Kleine (f): Usually refers to a little girl, a young woman, or diminutively to a woman (especially one of short stature). Can also be used affectionately for a younger sister or daughter.
• der Kleine (m): Usually refers to a little boy, a young man, or diminutively to a man (especially one of short stature). Can also be used affectionately for a younger brother or son.

🚨 Caution: Using it for adults can sound condescending depending on the context, unless it's meant affectionately or jokingly.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar and Declension of 'Kleine'

'Die Kleine' is a feminine noun, 'der Kleine' is a masculine noun. Both are declined like substantivized adjectives. The declension depends on whether they are preceded by a definite article (der/die), an indefinite article (ein/eine), or no article (strong, weak, mixed declension).

Declension: die Kleine (Feminine)

Declension: der Kleine (Masculine)

Example Sentences

• Die Kleine spielt im Garten. (The little one [female] is playing in the garden.)
• Hast du den Kleinen heute schon gesehen? (Have you seen the little one [male] today?)
• Wir haben Geschenke für die Kleinen gekauft. (We bought presents for the little ones.)
• Er hat einer Kleinen geholfen. (He helped a little one [female].)
• Das ist das Fahrrad des Kleinen. (That is the bike of the little one [male].)

🗣️ How 'Kleine' is Used

'Die Kleine' and 'der Kleine' are mainly used in colloquial German. The context is crucial for the meaning and connotation:

• Children: The most common usage refers to children (girl = die Kleine, boy = der Kleine). Example: "Bringst du die Kleinen heute vom Kindergarten ab?" (Are you picking up the little ones from kindergarten today?)
• Family/Friends: Within family or among friends, it can also be used affectionately for younger siblings or partners. Example: "Meine Kleine hat bald Geburtstag." (My little one [can refer to daughter or girlfriend] has her birthday soon.)
• Height: Less common and potentially sensitive is the use for adults of short stature. Tact is required here to avoid sounding condescending.
• Animals: Sometimes used for small, young animals. Example: "Schau mal, die Kleine da!" (Look, the little one [female] there! - pointing at a kitten).

Compared to 'Mädchen' (girl) or 'Junge' (boy), 'Kleine/r' often sounds more familiar, sometimes also a bit more diminutive.

🧠 Memory Aids for 'Kleine'

Remembering the Article: Think of the endings: 'die Kleine' often ends in 'e' (like many feminine nouns), 'der Kleine' has the 'r' typical for masculine. The woman ('die Frau') is die Kleine. The man ('der Mann') is der Kleine.

Remembering the Meaning: 'Kleine' comes directly from 'klein' (small). Just think of a person who is physically small, usually a child.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Zwerg' (dwarf) or 'Gnom' (gnome) can be seen as synonyms for short stature but are often considered offensive.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrerin: "Na, mein Kleiner, wie heißt du denn?"
Junge: "Ich heiße Fritzchen."
Lehrerin: "Und wie heißt dein Papa?"
Fritzchen: "Papachen!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Well, my little one [male], what's your name?"
Boy: "My name is Little Fritz."
Teacher: "And what's your dad's name?"
Little Fritz: "Little Daddy!"

📜 Poem: Die Kleinen (The Little Ones)

Ob der Kleine oder die Kleine,
sie entdecken die Welt, nicht alleine.
Mit Augen so groß und Schritten so zart,
ist jeder Tag ein neuer Start.
Sie lachen, sie weinen, sie lernen geschwind,
die Kleinen, das liebste auf Erden man find'.

Translation:
Whether the little one (m) or the little one (f),
they discover the world, not alone.
With eyes so big and steps so tender,
every day is a new start to render.
They laugh, they cry, they learn so fast,
the little ones, the dearest on Earth to be cast.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin mal 'er', ich bin mal 'sie',
doch immer jung, das glaube mir.
Man nennt mich oft mit Kosewort,
an manchem lieben, kleinen Ort.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
Sometimes I'm 'he', sometimes I'm 'she',
but always young, believe you me.
I'm often called with a term of endearment, you know,
in many a dear, little place where I go.

Who am I?
(Answer: Der/Die Kleine - The little one [m/f])

💡 Other Information

Word Type: Substantivized Adjective (a noun formed from an adjective)

Origin: Derived from the adjective 'klein' (small). Substantivizing adjectives is common in German and allows using characteristics of people or things as nouns.

Interesting Fact: The plural 'die Kleinen' (the little ones) is often used generically for 'Kinder' (children), e.g., in educational contexts or on playground signs ("Für die Kleinen" - For the little ones).