kleinste
The English phrase "smallest" is translated into German as kleinste.
kleinste is the superlative form of the adjective used to describe a person or thing with the least size.
Which one should you use?
While kleinste is the superlative degree, it differs from the positive degree klein (small) and the comparative degree kleiner (smaller). You may also use the phrase am kleinsten to express "the smallest" when it is used adverbially or as a predicative adjective at the end of a sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the northern regions of Germany, particularly in Low German dialects, the expression lütteste is commonly heard to mean "smallest".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form kleinste must take different endings depending on the gender and case of the noun it modifies.
Did you know?
- In German, calling someone klein can mean they are short in height or that they are young in age. Because of this, die kleinste could refer to the shortest person or the youngest child in a family.
- While kleinste describes size, the related word kleinlich describes a person who is 'petty' or 'narrow-minded'.
- When discussing the 'smallest' unit of something, Germans may use kleinste, but for the 'smallest' amount of a substance, they often use the word geringste. This distinguishes between physical size and magnitude.
Examples in context
- Diese Kamera ist die kleinste.This camera is smallest.This example shows how to use kleinste to describe a camera.Tatoeba #1628115 by Zaghawa, translation #463262 by lukaszpp
- Tom ist der Kleinste der drei.Tom's the smallest of the three.This example uses kleinste to identify the smallest person among a group.Tatoeba #2289425 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2269010 by _undertoad
- Der kleinste Erdteil ist Australien.The smallest continent is Australia.This sentence uses kleinste to describe the size of a continent.Tatoeba #2783625 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2438413 by freecudi
- Das ist das kleinste Buch in der Bibliothek.This is the smallest book in the library.
- Der kleinste Hund der Welt wurde gestern gefunden.The smallest dog in the world was found yesterday.
- Die kleinste Katze kann erstaunliche Kunststücke machen.The smallest cat can perform amazing tricks.
- Das ist die kleinste Pizza, die ich je gesehen habe!This is the smallest pizza I've ever seen!
- Der allerkleinste Baum im Garten hat die schönsten Blüten.The tiniest tree in the garden has the most beautiful blossoms.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are shopping for a new pet-sized dog bed.
- JulianSchau mal, dieses Bett ist die kleinste Option.Look, this bed is the smallest option.
- HannahJa, das passt perfekt für unseren Hund.Yes, that fits our dog perfectly.
- JulianIst es nicht zu klein für ihn?Is it not too small for him?
- HannahNein, er ist ja auch der Kleinste.No, he is the smallest one, after all.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
