Kleinigkeiten

Kleinigkeiten is the German plural noun for small things, trifles, or minor details. It denotes items of little intrinsic value as well as matters that are easy to overlook but can accumulate to affect situations, impressions, or outcomes. In everyday usage, people speak of “Kleinigkeiten des Alltags” to refer to ordinary, sometimes overlooked aspects of daily life, and they may say that “Kleinigkeiten machen den Unterschied” to emphasize how small factors can influence a result.

Etymology and form: The singular form Kleinigkeit comes from the adjective klein (small) with the abstract-noun suffix -igkeit, yielding Kleinigkeit, with the plural Kleinigkeiten. The word is well established in standard German and follows common patterns for form and meaning, describing qualities or objects that are minor in scale.

Uses and context: The term appears across diverse contexts. In household or consumer life, it can refer to minor chores, errands, or purchases. In design and user experience, attention to Kleinigkeiten denotes the importance of small details that improve usability and overall satisfaction. In literature or philosophy, Kleinigkeiten may be invoked to reflect on the significance of everyday observations or acts, suggesting that small things can carry meaningful value beyond their apparent size.

See also and related terms: Synonyms or related concepts include Kleinigkeit (singular), Kleinkram, and kleine Details. The phrase Kleinigkeiten des Alltags is common in German-speaking discourse to frame everyday life as a collection of small, cumulative factors.