Brottin

TOPIC · Nouns (Nomen)

Compound Nouns in German

A2B1

After this lesson you can recognize common German compound nouns, understand how they are formed and choose the correct gender and plural.

In German you meet compound nouns everywhere: a word like „der Fußballplatz“ is one single noun, but it consists of several parts. This lesson shows you how such words are built and what you have to watch out for.

Basic rules

  • All parts are written together: no space, no hyphen (exceptions: very long or new words, e.g. „Online-Shop“).
  • The last part is the head: it decides the gender, number and often the basic meaning.
  • Compound nouns are always capitalized.

Examples:

  • der Fuß + der Ball → der Fußball (masculine because of „der Ball“)
  • die Lampe + der Schirm → der Lampschirm (masculine because of „der Schirm“)

Common patterns

1Nomen + Nomen

The last noun is the head.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
der Fuß + der Ballder Fußballsport, game with the ball at the foot
die Lehrerin + das Zimmerdas Lehrerzimmerroom for teachers
die Sprache + der Kursder Sprachkurscourse for a language
der Zug + die Fahrtdie Zugfahrtjourney by train

2Verb stem + Nomen

Usually the verb stem stands before the noun.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
telefonieren + das Gesprächdas Telefongesprächconversation on the phone
fahren + das Raddas Fahrradvehicle with two wheels
schwimmen + das Baddas Schwimmbadpool or bath for swimming
schlafen + der Raumder Schlafraumroom for sleeping

3Adjektiv + Nomen

The adjective gives more information about the noun.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
hoch + das Hausdas Hochhausvery tall building
alt + die Stadtdie Altstadtoldest part of a town
dunkel + das Brotdas Dunkelbrotbread made from dark flour
kurz + die Geschichtedie Kurzgeschichteshort story

4Adverb / prefix + Nomen

Often adverbs or prefixes like „Früh-“, „Spät-“ etc. appear.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
früh + der Morgender Frühmorgenvery early morning
spät + der Dienstder Spätdienstshift at a late time
über + die Stundedie Überstundehour that is overtime
unter + die Hosedie Unterhoseunderwear (trousers worn under clothes)

Linking elements (Fugenlaute)

Between the parts you often find a linking sound: -s-, -es-, -n-, -en-, -er-, -e-. There are no simple rules; you have to learn many words by heart.

Very frequent: -s- / -es-

Very common after certain endings and many foreign words.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
die Zeit + der Raumder Zeitraumperiod of time
die Lösung + das Problemdie Problemlösungsolution to a problem
die Stadt + der Plander Stadtplanmap of a city
die Arbeit + der Platzder Arbeitsplatzworkplace

-(e)n

Often used when the first part has a plural in -n / -en.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
die Blume + die Wiesedie Blumenwiesemeadow with many flowers
die Studentin + die Wohnungdie Studentinnenwohnungflat for a (female) student
die Eltern + das Gelddas Elterngeldstate benefit for parents
die Ferien + der Kursder Ferienkurscourse during the holidays

-er

Often used when the first noun has a plural in -er.

Combinationcompound nounMeaning
das Kind + der Gartender Kindergarteninstitution for children
das Kind + der Wagender Kinderwagenpram, buggy for a child
der Bruder + die Schuledie Brüderschuleschool run by brothers
das Dorf + die Straßedie Dorfstraßemain street of a village

Practical tips

  • The gender always follows the last word: der Sprachkurs, die Zugfahrt, das Kinderzimmer.
  • Plural: usually only the head changes: die Sprachkurse, die Zugfahrten, die Kinderzimmer.
  • Learn frequent compounds as whole words, especially those with a linking element.