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Quäntchen. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Quäntchen, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Quäntchen in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Quäntchen you have here. The definition of the word
Quäntchen will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
Quäntchen, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
German
Alternative forms
Etymology
From the incorrect folk etymology which connected Quentchen with Quantum (“quantum”) and led to the spelling Quäntchen with ⟨ä⟩ instead of ⟨e⟩ in the 1996 spelling reform.
Pronunciation
Noun
Quäntchen n (strong, genitive Quäntchens, plural Quäntchen)
- a small amount, scrap
Es fehlte mir das nötige Quäntchen Glück.- I lacked the necessary bit of luck.
2018 December 28, Ulrike Guérot, “Die Freiheit ist schnell verspielt”, in Die Zeit:Hans-Peter Martins Buch, um gleich damit anzufangen, bleibt die Hoffnung schuldig, irgendein Quäntchen Hoffnung, dass sich an dieser menschengemachten Entwicklung noch ändern ließe.- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Usage notes
- The spelling Quäntchen has been the prescribed spelling since the German spelling reform of 1996 (the Rechtschreibreform). In the affected areas, the previous spelling (Quentchen) is now less common, and may be regarded as a misspelling.
Declension
Further reading