das Stückchen, –
piece
Definition & meaning
Stückchen means “small piece,” “little piece,” “bit,” or “tiny portion.” It is the diminutive form of , so it often expresses small size and sometimes an affectionate or gentle tone.
Examples:
It can also refer figuratively to a small amount of something:
Grammar & Word origin
Words ending in -chen are always neuter in German. The diminutive suffix also causes the vowel ü in to remain unchanged in .
The word can be neutral, affectionate, or simply indicate a small size.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- — a small part or particle; often sounds more technical or emphasizes that something is one component of a whole.
- — a little bit; usually refers to a small amount and is less specifically about a separate physical piece.
- — a splinter or fragment, especially a sharp or broken-off piece.
- — a chunk or lump; generally larger, rougher, or less delicate than .
Antonyms
There is no exact antonym. Depending on the context, possible opposites include:
- — the whole, as opposed to a small part
- — a large piece; a size-based contrast rather than a strict lexical antonym
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Er nimmt sich ein kleines Stückchen.noun
He takes a small piece.
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