23.10. German Adjectives: Compound Adjectives

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23.10. Adjectives in German: Compound Adjectives

German is a very rich and complex language, and one of the many features that make it unique is its use of compound adjectives. These are adjectives formed by combining two or more words. Understanding and correctly using compound adjectives is a crucial step towards achieving fluency in German.

What are Compound Adjectives?

Compound adjectives are a common feature in many Germanic languages, including German. They are formed by combining two or more words to create a new adjective with a unique meaning. For example, the word "blauäugig" is a compound adjective that combines the words "blau" (blue) and "Auge" (eye), resulting in the meaning "blue-eyed".

How are Compound Adjectives formed in German?

Compound adjectives in German are formed in two main ways. The first is simply to join two or more words together, as in the example above. The second way is by using a suffix such as "-ig", "-lich" or "-bar" to connect the words. For example, "kostenlos" (free) is formed by the word "Kosten" (cost) and the suffix "los" (without).

Rules for Compound Adjectives

There are some important rules to remember when using compound adjectives in German. First, when a compound adjective is used before a noun, it must agree in gender, number and case with the noun it is modifying. For example, "ein blauäugiger Junge" (a boy with blue eyes). Second, when a compound adjective is used after a verb, it need not agree with the noun. For example, "Der Junge ist blauäugig" (The boy has blue eyes).

Examples of Compound Adjectives in German

Here are some examples of common compound adjectives in German:

• Altertümlich (old)
• Arbeitslos (unemployed)
• Blutrot (blood red)
• Brandneu (brand new)
• Giftgrün (poisonous green)

Each of these compound adjectives provides a more specific and vivid description than would be possible using just a simple adjective.

Conclusion

German compound adjectives can seem complicated at first, but with practice and study, they become a valuable tool for expressing complex ideas and detailed descriptions. Understanding and correctly using compound adjectives is an important step towards achieving fluency in German.

We hope this lesson has been helpful for you to better understand compound adjectives in German. Remember, practice is the key to mastering any aspect of a new language. Keep studying and practicing, and you'll soon be using German compound adjectives with ease and confidence.

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