Diminutives and augmentatives are ways to change the size or intensity of a noun by adding specific endings. Diminutives make things smaller, cuter, or less serious, while augmentatives make things bigger or more intense (though true augmentatives are rare in German).
Diminutives
Diminutives in German are formed by adding -chen or -lein to the noun. These suffixes make the noun mean “little” or “cute.” Diminutives always take the neuter gender (das), regardless of the original noun’s gender. The plural is formed by adding -chen (and is always neuter plural).
Common suffixes
| Suffix | Example | Meaning | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -chen | das Haus → das Häuschen | little house | die Häuschen |
| -lein | der Hund → das Hündchen | little dog | die Hündchen |
Rules
- Add -chen or -lein to the noun.
- Vowels often change (Umlaut): a → ä, o → ö, u → ü (e.g., der Apfel → das Äpfelchen).
- The resulting diminutive is always neuter.
- Plural adds -chen without changing the ending.
Examples
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| das Mädchen | die Mädchen | little girl |
| das Büchlein | die Büchlein | little book |
| das Kätzchen | die Kätzchen | little cat |
| das Brötchen | die Brötchen | little bread roll |
Notes
- Diminutives can be formed from almost any noun.
- The use of diminutives often adds affection or politeness.
- Even proper nouns can take diminutive forms (e.g., Hans → Hänschen).
Augmentatives
German does not have productive augmentative suffixes like some other languages (e.g., Italian or Spanish). Instead, size or intensity is usually expressed with separate words or prefixes.
Common ways to express “larger” or “more intense”
| Method | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| groß (big) | großer Hund | big dog |
| un- (prefix for negative/intensifying) | Unwetter | bad/stormy weather |
| Riesen- (prefix, informal) | Riesenhaus | giant house |
| über- (prefix, meaning “over” or “super”) | Übermensch | superhuman |
Notes
- Riesen- and Über- can be added to nouns and adjectives to indicate something very large or powerful.
- These are not suffixes; they are separate words or prefixes.
- German relies more on context and adjective use than on fixed augmentative endings.
Summary
Diminutives are common and follow clear rules: add -chen or -lein, use neuter gender, and apply Umlaut when possible. Augmentatives are not formed by suffixes but by using words like groß, prefixes like Riesen-, or other descriptive terms. German speakers usually rely on context and adjectives rather than special endings to show size or intensity beyond normal forms.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
