Skip to content

kleinlich

petty

adjective KLYN-likh Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Quality

Origin: from klein (small)

Also means

pedantic

Usage Note

kleinlich describes fussing over trivial details, especially money or rules: Sei nicht so kleinlich! (Don't be so petty!). It is the opposite of großzügig. The image is of seeing only small things and missing the bigger picture.

Examples

"Bei der Abrechnung war er furchtbar kleinlich."

Natural Translation

When settling up he was terribly petty.

Literal Translation

At the settling was he terribly petty.

Explore German by topic