Long compounds: building, reading and splitting them
How German compounds work: the last part decides, linking -s- and -n-, reading from the right, and hyphens.
Part of the free C2 German course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
German writes compounds as one word, and it can build them freely. Bundesverfassungsgericht is ordinary newspaper vocabulary. Compounds follow simple rules, and once you can split them, long words become transparent.
The last part decides
The last element (Grundwort) gives the compound its core meaning, its gender and its plural. Everything before it narrows it down.
| Compound | Parts | Gender from |
|---|---|---|
| die Haustür | das Haus + die Tür | die Tür |
| der Kindergarten | die Kinder + der Garten | der Garten |
| das Bundesverfassungsgericht | der Bund + die Verfassung + das Gericht | das Gericht |
Read from the right: a Kinderbuchautorin is an Autorin (author) of Kinderbücher (children's books).
Linking elements
Between the parts there is often a linking sound (Fugenelement). It is not always a genitive or plural ending, so learn the common patterns:
| Link | When | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -s- | after -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ion, -tät, -ling, and many others | Wohnungstür, Gesundheitsamt, Universitätsbibliothek, Arbeitszeit |
| -es- | some short masculine and neuter nouns | Bundestag, Tageslicht |
| -n-, -en- | many feminine nouns in -e, weak nouns | Sonnenschein, Straßenbahn, Frauenarzt |
| -er- | plural-like | Kindergarten, Bilderbuch |
| -e- | some | Hundehütte |
| none | many | Haustür, Fahrradweg |
| drop -e | some | Schulbuch, Erdbeben |
There is regional variation: Schweinsbraten and Zugsverspätung in Austria and Bavaria, Schweinebraten and Zugverspätung in much of Germany.
- Die Haustür war nicht abgeschlossen.The front door wasn't locked.
- Das Bundesverfassungsgericht sitzt in Karlsruhe.The Federal Constitutional Court is based in Karlsruhe.
- Ich brauche eine Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung für meinen Arbeitgeber.I need a doctor's note for my employer.
- Die Universitätsbibliothek ist am Wochenende geschlossen.The university library is closed at the weekend.
- Der Kindergarten liegt direkt neben der Straßenbahnhaltestelle.The nursery is right next to the tram stop.
- Zum Mittagessen gab es Schweinsbraten mit Knödeln.There was roast pork with dumplings for lunch.
Splitting ambiguous words
Sometimes a compound can be split in two ways, and only context decides. Staubecken is a Stau-becken (reservoir) or Staub-ecken (dusty corners); Wachstube is a Wach-stube (guardroom) or a Wachs-tube (tube of wax).
- Im Frühling ist das Staubecken fast voll.In spring the reservoir is almost full.
Hyphens and three letters
- With digits and abbreviations, hyphenate every part: eine 3-Zimmer-Wohnung, die UV-Strahlung. Written out: eine Dreizimmerwohnung.
- Three identical letters stay since the 2006 reform: Schifffahrt, Kaffeeernte. A hyphen may be added for clarity: Kaffee-Ernte.
- With names: das Goethe-Institut.
- Wir suchen eine Dreizimmerwohnung mit Balkon.We're looking for a three-room flat with a balcony.
Meaning is not always the sum of the parts: a Kinderarzt treats children, a Holzhaus is made of wood, a Handschuh is a glove. Split to find the words, then check the meaning.
Common mistakes
das Haustür: the gender comes from the last part, die Tür.Kinder Garten: compounds are written as one word.Wohnungtür, Arbeitzeit: these need the linking s: Wohnungstür, Arbeitszeit.Fahrradsweg: no link here, Fahrradweg.die Häusertürfor several front doors: the plural goes on the last part, die Haustüren.
Practice
- What is the gender of Kühlschranktür?Options: die · der · das
Show the answer
die — The last part decides: die Tür.
- Wohnung + Tür: die _____
Show the answer
Wohnungstür — Nouns in -ung take the linking s.
- Which compound of Universität + Bibliothek is correct?Options: Universitätsbibliothek · Universitätbibliothek · Universitätenbibliothek
Show the answer
Universitätsbibliothek — Nouns in -tät take the linking s.
- „Staubecken“ in an article about drinking water. How do you split it?Options: Stau + Becken (reservoir) · Staub + Ecken (dusty corners) · Sta + Ubecken
Show the answer
Stau + Becken (reservoir) — Context decides: drinking water points to a reservoir.