das Kerlchen
Translation
little fellow, little chap, lad
Examples
Was für ein freches Kerlchen!
What a cheeky little fellow!
Das kleine Kerlchen spielte im Garten.
The little fellow was playing in the garden.
Grammar Patterns
a little fellow ein Kerlchen He is a clever little fellow.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Bürschchen, Knirps, Junge (boy)
Etymology
Diminutive form of 'Kerl' (fellow, guy) with the suffix '-chen'.
Memory Tips
Remember that all nouns ending in '-chen' in German are neuter ('das'). It adds a sense of smallness or affection, like '-let' or '-y' in English (e.g., piglet, doggy).