Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| klein | /klɛi̯n/ |
| nietig | |
| minuscuul |
The primary way to express that something is not large is by using klein. To emphasize how small something is, you can use heel klein to mean very small. If you wish to describe a small amount or a little bit in an informal way, you can use the phrase klein beetje. For describing things that are limited in size or quantity, the word beperkt is used.
Which one should you use?
While klein is the general term for small, minuscuul is used for things that are extremely small, often in a scientific or highly precise context. In poetic or literary contexts, the synonym minuscule can also be used to denote extreme smallness.
How does it change in a sentence?
When klein is used before a common gender noun (a de-word), it takes the inflectional ending -e, becoming kleine, such as in een kleine hond (a small dog).
How do you pronounce it?
/klɛi̯n/
Did you know?
- The word nietig is formed by adding the suffix -ig to niet, which means 'not', essentially describing something as being 'not-much'.
- In Dutch, the word klein is often used to describe a person's height, where saying someone is klein is the standard way to say they are 'short'.
- While klein means small, the word nietig describes something so small it feels insignificant or powerless, similar to the English word 'puny'.
Examples in context
- Het is te klein.It's too small.This sentence shows how to express that something is too small using klein.Tatoeba #2332956 by PaulP, translation #267535 by CK
- Is dat te klein?Is it too small?This sentence is a question about whether something is too small using klein.Tatoeba #7855737 by MarijnKp, translation #1658056 by Spamster
- Ik was te klein.I was too small.This sentence describes a past state of being too small using klein.Tatoeba #8443074 by MarijnKp, translation #4554552 by CK
- een klein huisA small house
- een klein probleemA small problem
- een compacte autoA compact car
- een beperkte ruimteA small space
- een klein cadeautjeA small gift
- een klein hapjeA small snack
- een piepklein muisjeA tiny little mouse
- een klein beetje suikerA little bit of sugar
- een klein beetje waterA small amount of water
- een heel klein katjeA very small kitten
- Kijk, een piepklein vogeltje zit op de tak!Look, a tiny little bird is sitting on the branch!
- 313 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Lisa are looking at a new apartment.
- LucasWat vind je van deze kamer?What do you think of this room?
- LisaIk vind de kamer een beetje te klein.I think the room is a bit too small.
- LucasDat klopt, maar de keuken is groot.That's true, but the kitchen is large.
- LisaJa, maar we hebben een klein bed nodig.Yes, but we need a small bed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries klein, nietig, minuscuul, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries klein, minuscuul, nietig, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
