Suffix: lein - Wort des Tages

lein:

A Common German Noun Suffix

The German suffix -lein is a diminutive suffix used to indicate a smaller, cuter, or more endearing version of a noun. It often gives a poetic or archaic tone to the word. When added to a noun, it typically makes the noun neuter, regardless of its original gender.

Formation of Words with -lein

To form a diminutive with -lein, you generally follow these steps:

Remove the ending: If the noun ends in -e, -en, or -el, these endings are usually dropped.
Add -lein: Attach the suffix -lein to the stem of the noun.
Umlaut: If the stem vowel is a, o, or u, it often changes to ä, ö, or ü.

Base word + “-lein”: The most common way to form a word using “-lein” is to add it directly to the end of the base word.

For example:

Buch + -lein = Büchlein (booklet)
Haus + -lein = Häuschen (little house)
Mann + -lein = Männlein (little man)

Changes to the base word:

Sometimes, the base word may undergo changes when “-lein” is added. This often happens to preserve the pronunciation or rhythm of the word.

For example:

Kind + -lein = Kindlein (little child)
Herz + -lein = Herzlein (little heart)
Vogel + -lein = Vögelchen (little bird)

Capitalization:

In German, all nouns, including proper nouns, are capitalized. This rule applies regardless of whether a diminutive suffix like -lein is added. Therefore, if you form a diminutive from a proper noun, the resulting word remains capitalized.

For example:

Maria + -lein → Marielein (little Maria)
Hans + -lein → Hänslein (little Hans)

Here are some more examples of words using “-lein”:

Bächlein: little brook (from “Bach”)
Kind (child) becomes Kindlein
Lämmlein (little lamb)
Schäflein (little sheep)
Röslein (little rose)
Bäumlein (little tree)
Spätzlein (little sparrow)
Schäufelein (little shovel)

The use of “-lein” is common in German, especially in informal or colloquial language. It adds a sense of warmth, familiarity, and affection to the words it is used with.

Examples and Usage in Sentences

Bach (brook) → Bächlein (little brook)
“Das Bächlein fließt durch den Wald.”
(The little brook flows through the forest.)

Kind (child) → Kindlein (little child)
“Das Kindlein schläft friedlich.”
(The little child sleeps peacefully.)

Vogel (bird) → Vöglein (little bird)
“Ein Vöglein singt im Baum.”
(A little bird sings in the tree.)

Haus (house) → Häuslein (little house)
“Das Häuslein steht am See.”
(The little house stands by the lake.)

Mann (man) → Männlein (little man)
“Ein Männlein steht im Walde.”
(A little man stands in the forest.)

Maus (mouse) → Mäuslein (little mouse)
“Das Mäuslein huscht über den Boden.”
(The little mouse scurries across the floor.)

Buch (book) → Büchlein (little book)
“Ich lese ein altes Büchlein.”
(I am reading an old little book.)

Blume (flower) → Blümlein (little flower)
“Das Blümlein blüht im Garten.”
(The little flower blooms in the garden.)

Fisch (fish) → Fischlein (little fish)
“Das Fischlein schwimmt im Teich.”
(The little fish swims in the pond.)

Hase (hare) → Häslein (little hare)
“Das Häslein hoppelt über die Wiese.”
(The little hare hops across the meadow.)

These examples illustrate how the suffix -lein transforms the original nouns into their diminutive forms, often adding a sense of endearment or smallness to the words.

NOUN –> SUFFIX

lein:

A Common German Noun Suffix

Formation of Words with -lein

Examples and Usage in Sentences

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