Hmm, interesting to try and pinpoint the difference between "lein" and "erl". I would say they are both diminutive but not exactly in the same way. erl ... wo

Hmm, interesting to try and pinpoint the difference between "lein" and "erl". I would say they are both diminutive but not exactly in the same way. erl ... would be more related to the actual size Sack -> Sackerl (bag -> small bag) Wagen -> Wagerl (cart -> small cart) lein ... would be more related to the inner size (sorry I can't frame this into words any better) Frau -> Fräulein (Woman -> Younger/Fragile woman (unmarried)) Wagen -> Wäglein (Cart -> smaller but also lesser cart) edit: referring to the answer of pavel_lishin. Yes "qualitative" modifier was the word I am looking for.