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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Hello, my name is Katerina und I’m a qualified German teacher with 8 years teaching experience.
I would like to help you to master the German language. You will get your personal online lesson via Skype.
If you are interested in learning this world language, just contact me –
I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
G. .
I recommended everyone to choose this teacher ! she's explaining pretty clear and she have a lot of patient ! she helped me a lot to improve my German skills !
Thank you so much George. I am very happy that our lessons helped you!
Hi, everyone! I'm Marissa. I'm a native speaker of English from the United States. I'm currently living in Istanbul, Turkey and I can speak Turkish. I can also understand basic Spanish. I received my teaching certification in 2011 and I've been teaching ever since. I have experience working with students from all over the world, in language schools, kindergarten, exam preparation centers, and online, not only as a teacher but also as an education coordinator.
I offer my students a very structured program to help them improve their overall English level. In our trial lesson, I will evaluate your level and we will discuss your goals. I will then provide you with a coursebook and supplementary materials suitable for your level and needs. We will use these both together in class and outside of class for homework. We will cover all necessary skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation) but we will give special attention to whatever your weaknesses may be.
Alternatively, if you are not looking for such an intensive program, I also offer guided conversation practice. I am flexible! Just write me and we can start working on a plan for you. I'm looking forward to meeting you soon. :)
V. F.
Marissa is a very friendly teacher. She adapts her lessons to her students and helps them reach their goals.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Marissa M.
Hello =)
My name is Karolin and since the beginning of 2017, while I was still living in Chile, I've been giving online classes. I really enjoy my work and it gives me the privilage to get to know people from all around the world, which is amazing.
Both in English and in German, I teach classes for beginners and advanced students. I speak Spanish fluently, but as I lived in Chile for around 5 years, both my pronounciation and my choice of words are influenced by that. I learned and teach the european Spanish but only for beginners (A1/A2). But if you don't mind the chilenean influence, I do teach to a higher level as well.
If you'd like to get to know me and my teaching methods, just contact me and we will do a free trial lesson (please do NOT by a lesson before the trial lesson, not every teacher is good for every student).
See you soon!
M. H.
Very well prepared, excellent explanation of all of the key grammatical points and very nice and supportive manner made it a pleasure to learn through this lesson.
Karolin G.
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!
L. P.
Christina is amazing. From our first lesson I could tell that she really cared and wanted to help me prepare for my exam. I look forward to every lesson! I can't recommend her enough, she is perfect!
Thank you dear Luke