TOPIC · Adjectives (Adjektive)

How to transform nouns into adjectives

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After this lesson, learners will be able to transform nouns into adjectives using various suffixes.

In this lesson, we will learn how to transform nouns into adjectives in German. The German language provides numerous ways to form adjectives from nouns by adding specific suffixes. Let’s explore these suffixes in detail.

Suffixes for Forming Adjectives from Nouns

Here are some of the most common suffixes:

SuffixExamplesMeaning
-igdie Farbe – farbig, der Wind – windigdescribes characteristics
-lichder Monat – monatlich, die Tochter – töchterlichdescribes possession
-ischder Deutsche – deutsch, die Methode – methodischdescribes origin or type
-haftder Traum – traumhaft, der Fehler – fehlerhaftdescribes quality
-losdie Arbeit – arbeitslos, der Zweifel – zweifellosdescribes lack
-samdie Mühe – mühsam, die Einsamkeit – einsamdescribes intensity
-bardas Wunder – wunderbar, die Furcht – furchtbardescribes possibility
-aldie Nation – national, die Situation – situationaldescribes affiliation
-armdas Fett – fettarm, das Wasser – wasserarmdescribes scarcity
-freidas Fett – fettfrei, der Raum – raumfreidescribes absence
-reichder Erfolg – erfolgreich, die Information – informationsreichdescribes abundance

Example 1: -ig

The suffix -ig is commonly used to describe attributes. For example:

  • die Farbe – farbig (colorful)
  • der Wind – windig (windy)

Example 2: -lich

The suffix -lich often denotes belonging or frequency. For instance:

  • der Monat - monatlich (monthly)
  • die Tochter - töchterlich (daughterly)

Example 3: -isch

The suffix -isch indicates origin or type. For example:

  • der Deutsche - deutsch (German)
  • die Methode - methodisch (methodical)

By learning these suffixes, learners can create descriptive adjectives that enrich their expression. Exercises to apply these suffixes will be addressed in the next lesson.