TOPIC · Nouns (Nomen)

Nominalization of adjectives and participles in German

B1B2

After this lesson, learners will be able to use adjectives and participles in German as nouns.

Noun Formation from Adjectives and Participles in German

In the German language, adjectives and participles can also be used as nouns. The process of transforming adjectives and participles into nouns is called noun formation. In this lesson, we will look at the rules and examples for noun formation from adjectives and participles.

Noun Formation from Adjectives

When an adjective is used as a noun, it is capitalized and often requires an ending adjustment to match the gender and case of the noun it represents.

ExampleMeaning
Ein freundlicher Mensch hilft.Ein Freundlicher hilft.
(A friendly person is helping.)(A friendly person is helping.)
Sie ist eine mutige Frau.Sie ist eine Mutige.
(She is a brave woman.)(She is a brave one.)
Ich brauche etwas Gutes.Ich brauche etwas Gutes.
(I need something good.)(I need something good.)

Here, the adjective „freundlich“ and the noun „mutig“ are used as nouns, adjusting their endings according to gender. The nouns „Mensch“ and „Frau“ can be omitted since the context is clear.

Noun Formation from Participles

Participles, both I and II, can also function as nouns. They are treated similarly to adjectives in terms of noun formation.

ExampleMeaning
Die spielenden Kinder sind glücklich.Die Spielenden sind glücklich.
(The playing children are happy.)(The ones who are playing are happy.)
Die gelesenen Bücher sind interessant.Die Gelesenen sind interessant.
(The read books are interesting.)(The ones that have been read are interesting.)
Der vermisste Mann wurde gefunden.Der Vermisste wurde gefunden.
(The missing man was found.)(The missing one was found.)

Participle I describes an ongoing action, while Participle II often describes a completed action. The root form is frequently omitted here as well since context suffices.

Notes on Noun Formation

  • For indefinite quantity expressions, such as after „etwas“, „nichts“, „wenig“, or „viel“, the ending -es is added to the adjective.
    • Example: Ich lerne viel Neues. (I am learning many new things.)
  • This rule applies to both adjectives and participles.

Noun formation is a useful method for communicating clearly and precisely in the German language. Happy practicing!