Compound nouns in German
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Compound nouns are nouns that are composed out of two or more words and then build a new word with sometimes a new meaning.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.What is a compound noun in German?
- 2.General structure of compound nouns
- 2.1.Noun + noun
- 2.2.Verb + noun
- 2.3.Adjective/participle + noun
- 2.4.Invariable element (preposition) + noun
- 3.Juncture of compound nouns
- 3.1.Juncture with -s or -es
- 3.2.Juncture with the plural of the noun
- 4.Exercises
- 4.1.Exercise about compound nouns in German
- 4.2.Define the gender of compound nouns
What is a compound noun in German?
In German, it is very common to assemble several existing words to create new ones. The compound can be made from nouns, adjectives, verbs or an invariable element (prepositions). There is no limit of the number of the associated words. Following, you can find several rules to build a compound noun.
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General structure of compound nouns
Keep in mind: The last word always determines the gender, the number and the case of the compound noun. It is also the only one to decline depending on the case.
The emphasis is always on the first word of the compound noun, but not always on the first syllable.
To understand the meaning of compound word read from right to left. Here are some examples.
| First noun | Second noun | Compound word |
|---|---|---|
| die Orangen - oranges | der Saft - juice | der Orangensaft - orange juice |
| das Wasser - water | die Flasche - bottle | die Wasserflasche - water bottle |
There exist different combinations of compound words:
- noun + noun
- verb + noun
- adjective/participle + noun
- invariable preposition + noun
1) Noun + noun
Associated nouns can be understood as simple or compound nouns. Here are some examples.
| First noun | Second noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| das Hotel | das Zimmer | das Hotelzimmer - hotel room |
| der Zahn | die Bürste | die Zahnbürste - tooth brush |
| der Fußball | die Weltmeisterschaft | die Fußballweltmeisterschaft - world cup |
2) Verb + noun
Some compound nouns are build out of the radical of a verb and another noun. Here are some examples.
| Verb | Noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| essen | das Zimmer | das Esszimmer - dining room |
| schreiben | die Maschine | die Schreibmaschine - typewriter |
| laufen | der Schritt | der Laufschritt - double quick |
3) Adjective/participle + noun
You can also form a compound noun out of an adjective or a particle and a noun. Have a look.
| Adjective/participle | Noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| groß | die Stadt | die Großstadt - big city |
| rot | der Kohl | der Rotkohl - red cabbage |
| gebraucht | der Wagen | der Gebrauchtwagen - used car |
4) Invariable element (preposition) + noun
Some nouns are composed of an invariable element, often a preposition, and a noun. Here are some examples.
| Invariable element/preposition | Noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| vor | der Ort | der Vorort - suburb |
| aber | der Glaube | der Aberglaube - superstition |
Juncture of compound nouns
To connect two nouns and to build a new noun, the first one needs an additional suffix. Either you have to add -s or -es or sometimes you have to use the plural forms of the first word.
Juncture with -s or -es
Here you can find some examples for the juncture with -s or -es.
| First noun | Second noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| der Staat | das Examen | das Staatsexamen - state examination |
| der Liebling | die Farbe | die Lieblingsfarbe - favorite colour |
| die Arbeit | die Kraft | die Arbeitskraft - worker |
This rule applies to all of the nouns with the suffix: -keit, -heit, -schaft, -ung, -ion, -tät, -ling, -tum.
Juncture with the plural of the noun
Often the first noun is pluralized before being associated to with another noun. Here you can find some examples.
| First noun | Second noun | Compound noun |
|---|---|---|
| die Kranken | die Schwester | die Krankenschwester - nurse |
| die Straßen | die Lampe | die Straßenlampe - street lamp |
| die Suppen | der Löffel | der Suppelöffel - tablespoon |
You know everything about compound nouns in German. Now you can practise them with some exercises.
Exercises
Exercise about compound nouns in German
Form the compound nouns as shown in the example. Add the definite article and pay attention to the capital letter of the compound noun.
Remember:
- The last word determines gender, number and case.
- Compound nouns can be built out of Noun + noun, Verb + noun, adjective/participle + noun, prepostion + noun.
- The junction between of two nouns is sometimes constructed by the plural of the first noun or with an additional -s/-es (especially nouns with the endings -keit, -heit, -schaft, -ung, -ion, -tät, -ling or -tum) for the first word.
In case of doubts, have a look into the course on compound nouns in German.
Example: das Kind + der Garten = der Kindergarten (kindergarden)
1) der Regen + der Schirm = (umbrella)
2) der Geburt + der Tag = (birthday)
3) der Tisch + die Decke = (tablecloth)
4) spielen + der Platz = (playground)
5) deutsch + die Lehrerin = (German teacher)
6) die Arbeit + die Zeit = (working hours)
7) alt + die Stadt = (historic center)
8) vor + der Ort = (suburb)
9) die Freundschaft + die Anfrage = (friends request)
10) warten + das Zimmer = (waiting room)
Define the gender of compound nouns
Exercises
Exercise about compound nouns in German
Form the compound nouns as shown in the example. Add the definite article and pay attention to the capital letter of the compound noun.
Remember:
- The last word determines gender, number and case.
- Compound nouns can be built out of Noun + noun, Verb + noun, adjective/participle + noun, prepostion + noun.
- The junction between of two nouns is sometimes constructed by the plural of the first noun or with an additional -s/-es (especially nouns with the endings -keit, -heit, -schaft, -ung, -ion, -tät, -ling or -tum) for the first word.
In case of doubts, have a look into the course on compound nouns in German.
Example: das Kind + der Garten = der Kindergarten (kindergarden)
1) der Regen + der Schirm = (umbrella)
2) der Geburt + der Tag = (birthday)
3) der Tisch + die Decke = (tablecloth)
4) spielen + der Platz = (playground)
5) deutsch + die Lehrerin = (German teacher)
6) die Arbeit + die Zeit = (working hours)
7) alt + die Stadt = (historic center)
8) vor + der Ort = (suburb)
9) die Freundschaft + die Anfrage = (friends request)
10) warten + das Zimmer = (waiting room)
Define the gender of compound nouns
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I am French living in Lisbon in Portugal. I have lived in different countries such as England, the United States and India. It gave me some experience of learning a foreign language and teaching it.
I am passionate about different cultures and try to share my love for French culture with you in a lively way.
I adapt to the needs of the students, whether to improve their oral, written, prepare for an exam or a job interview. I prioritize the conversation to allow the student to "unblock" and have fun speaking the language. I write down the vocabulary and grammar that the student lacks to express himself.
Learning a foreign language is, in my view, above all through cultural curiosity. We want to learn a language because we want to live in the country, travel there or get to know it better. We feel attracted. It is its Culture that motivates us in our learning: music, film, text, literature, way of being and cultural differences forming "another world". This means that learning is not just about learning a list of words and grammar lessons, as is taught too often in school. Practice again and again through conversation, books, music, movies and above all the pleasure of speaking and listening.
I adapt the student's personal work according to their available time and their objective (conversation, deadline for an exam, scheduled trip, etc.).
I am at your disposal for any further information.
See you soon,
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Hi!
My name is Krisztina! I’m a teacher of German and French with the corresponding qualifications. I've grown up in a bilingual family (Hungarian-German), so I speak both languages as a native language. I’ve been teaching for six years, so I’m able to estimate your needs, and to meet them. In my lessons, I recreat real life situations, so that you will be able to adapt yourselves to different circumstances. I’m a patient, positive and creative person, who is looking forward to see you in her lessons. So don’t hesitate to book a lesson with me.
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My name is Christina and I provide German & French language lesson for children and adult beginners or intermediate who want to strengthen their language skills, improve the grammar knowledge, enrich the vocabulary and get into the German culture! I can teach in English or French!
I had experince in teaching German, English and French to foreign people so I do have a lot of useful learning material I can provide you to make it easier!
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I am a German native speaker who loves languages and am passionate about teaching others. I work as language teacher in a school, teach adults at the German Culture Center and prepare my students for all types of official language exams. I love my job and always seek to make it as much fun as possible.
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My experience with Melanie has been very positive, Melanie is a very qualified teacher and you can tell that from the beginning: very professional, very good methodology, diversity in material, etc. A real one on one experience as she focused together with learning of language in identification and correction of student weaknesses. My kid is engaged with her classes as he says are useful and fun, his progress in learning German has been noticed by all. I also like her flexibility to have classes during the weekends, that is a great emergency door. I am happy !! Highly recommended!!!
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