kleiner Kerl
The English phrase "little guy" can be translated into German as kleiner Kerl.
In German, kleiner Kerl is an affectionate term used to refer to a small child or a small animal. While the word Kerl can sometimes refer to an adult fellow or chap, when used in this specific context, it functions much like the English "little guy."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kleiner (little) and Kerl (guy, fellow or fellow man).
Which one should you use?
Knirps is another informal and somewhat playful term that refers to a "little guy."
How does it change in a sentence?
The form kleiner Kerl uses the strong masculine nominative adjective ending -er to agree with the masculine noun Kerl.
Did you know?
- In German, the playful term Knirps is also the name of a world-famous brand of foldable umbrellas.
- The word Kerl shares an ancestral root with the English word 'churl', which originally described a free man of low rank rather than a rude person.
- While kleiner Kerl is affectionate, using Kerl alone to describe an adult man can be an insult meaning he is uncouth or clumsy.
Examples in context
- Hey, kleiner Kerl, was möchtest du denn spielen?Hey, little guy, what would you like to play?
- Komm her, du kleiner Bursche, ich habe dir etwas mitgebracht!Come here, you little guy, I brought you something!
- Schau mal, der kleine Knirps spielt dort drüben!Look, the little guy is playing over there!
- Schau mal, was für ein süßer kleiner Kerl!Look, what a sweet little guy!
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are looking at a puppy.
- JuliaOh, was für ein kleiner Kerl!Oh, what a little guy!
- MaximilianEr ist wirklich sehr süß.He is really very cute.
- JuliaDer kleine Kerl spielt so gerne.The little guy loves to play so much.
- MaximilianJa, er ist total verspielt.Yes, he is totally playful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kerl, CC BY-SA 4.0.
