Compound nouns in German

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

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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.