die  Kleinigkeit

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklaɪ̯nɪçkaɪ̯t/

🧐 What does "die Kleinigkeit" mean?

The word die Kleinigkeit (feminine noun) primarily has two meanings in German:

1. An insignificant thing, a trifle: Something that is not very important or requires little effort. It's often used to downplay something.

   Example: Mach dir keine Sorgen deswegen, das ist nur eine Kleinigkeit. (Don't worry about it, it's just a trifle / a small thing.)

2. A small gift or a small token of courtesy: Something small that you bring or give to someone, often as a sign of politeness or affection.

   Example: Ich habe dir eine Kleinigkeit aus dem Urlaub mitgebracht. (I brought you a little something / a small gift back from vacation.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Kleinigkeit" in Detail

The noun "Kleinigkeit" is feminine. Therefore, the article is die. German nouns ending in "-keit" are almost always feminine.

✨ Example Sentences

• Das Aufräumen war nur eine Kleinigkeit für ihn. (Cleaning up was just a small thing for him. - Meaning 1)
• Wegen einer solchen Kleinigkeit solltest du dich nicht aufregen. (You shouldn't get upset over such a trifle. - Meaning 1)
• Sie hat mir mit einer Kleinigkeit eine große Freude gemacht. (She made me very happy with a small gift. - Meaning 2)
• Ich habe nur eine Kleinigkeit gegessen. (I only ate a little something. - here: small amount)
• Er achtet oft auf unwichtige Kleinigkeiten. (He often pays attention to unimportant details/trifles. - Meaning 1)
• Sie brachte viele kleine Kleinigkeiten von ihrer Reise mit. (She brought back many small trinkets/gifts from her trip. - Meaning 2)

💡 How to use "die Kleinigkeit"?

The use of "Kleinigkeit" strongly depends on the context:

• Downplaying effort: When someone thanks you and you want to minimize the effort involved: "Gern geschehen, das war doch nur eine Kleinigkeit!" (You're welcome, it was really nothing / just a small thing!)
• Modesty when giving gifts: When presenting a gift and you don't want it to seem too large or expensive: "Ich habe dir eine Kleinigkeit mitgebracht." (I brought you a little something.)
• Criticism or annoyance (often ironic): When someone is making a fuss about something unimportant: "Wegen so einer Kleinigkeit machst du so ein Theater?" (You're making such a scene over such a trifle?)
• Focus on details: When pointing out small, perhaps unimportant details: "Er verliert sich oft in Kleinigkeiten." (He often gets lost in trivial details.)

Confusion is rare, as the meaning usually becomes clear from the conversation context.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Kleinigkeit"

For the article: Remember that nouns ending in -keit are (almost) always feminine, so they take the article die. Think of other examples like die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Schwierigkeit (difficulty), and thus die Kleinigkeit.

For the meaning: The word contains klein, which means "small". So, a Kleinigkeit is something small – either small in importance (a trifle) or a small gift (a little something).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist eine Kleinigkeit?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Wenn Papa niest!"
Lehrer: "Wieso das denn?"
Fritzchen: "Mama sagt dann immer: 'Gesundheit! Nur eine Kleinigkeit!'"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What is a 'Kleinigkeit' (trifle/small thing)?"
Little Fritz answers: "When Dad sneezes!"
Teacher: "Why is that?"
Fritz: "Mom always says: 'Bless you! Just a little thing!'" (Playing on 'Kleinigkeit' meaning 'minor issue/illness')

📜 A Poem about Little Things

Eine Geste, leis und zart,
Ein Lächeln, freundlich aufbewahrt,
Ein Dankeschön, ein gutes Wort,
Das ist 'ne Kleinigkeit vor Ort.

Doch oft sind's grad die kleinen Sachen,
Die uns das Leben leichter machen.
Drum schätze jede Kleinigkeit,
Sie bringt oft große Freudigkeit.

Translation:
A gesture, soft and tender,
A smile, kindly kept in render,
A thank you, a kind word expressed,
That is a 'Kleinigkeit', locally blessed.

But often it's the little things,
That make our lives easier, give wings.
So cherish every little trifle,
It often brings great joy, not stifled.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann ein Geschenk sein, ganz ohne Pracht,
Hab' oft nicht viel Wert, bin schnell weggedacht.
Man sagt "Ach, das war doch nur...", klingt bescheiden,
Doch kann ich auch Ärger und Streit bedeuten.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I can be a gift, without any splendor,
Often have little value, quickly put asunder.
People say "Oh, it was just...", sounding modest and slight,
But I can also mean trouble and cause a fight.

What am I?

Solution: die Kleinigkeit (a trifle / a small gift)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Kleinigkeit" is a noun derived from the adjective klein (small). The suffix -igkeit is used to form abstract nouns from adjectives, describing a quality or state. These nouns are typically feminine in German.

Example: klein (small) → Kleinigkeit (smallness, trifle); wichtig (important) → Wichtigkeit (importance); ewig (eternal) → Ewigkeit (eternity).