Unit 5 – Grammar
Diminutives
Let's start with the word 'Stündchen'.
This is the diminutive of 'Stunde', meaning 'hour'.
In German, you form a diminutive by adding the suffix -chen.
Many words also change their vowels: a → ä, o → ö, u → ü, au → äu.
A diminutive is a modified form of a word that conveys an idea of smallness, tenderness, or insignificance.
In German, all diminutives are neuter.
Compound Nouns
Most German compound words are transparent, meaning they are usually straightforward to understand.
A compound word has two main parts:The first element is the Bestimmungswort (determining word).
The second element is the Grundwort (base word).
The first element specifies or limits the meaning of the second element. The second element contains the word's basic meaning.
Therefore, the Grundwort determines the general category, while the Bestimmungswort provides additional information.
The two elements are semantically related. This relationship becomes clear in a word-formation paraphrase.
A word-formation paraphrase contains both elements of the compound and explains their meaning. Examples:
Landesinnere → das Innere eines Landes (the interior of a country).
Landesgrenze → die Grenze eines Landes (the border of a country).
Sandstrand → ein Strand mit Sand (a sandy beach).
Badestrand → ein Strand fürs Baden (a beach for swimming)
Palmenstrand → ein Strand mit Palmen (a beach with palm trees)
In conclusion, the main part of the word tells you which group it belongs to, while the first part provides more information.
Read the dialogue:
- Oliver: „London? That means a walk in Hyde Park, a visit to Buckingham Palace, a photo of Tower Bridge and a ride on the London Eye!”
- Margherita (kennt sich aus): „Der Hyde Park ist der Stadtpark Londons. Der Buckingham Palace ist der Königspalast. Die Tower Bridge mit zwei Türmen ist die bekannte Themsebrücke. Das London Eye ist das Riesenrad”.
Stadtpark → der Park in der Stadt (city park);
Königspalast → der Palast des Königs (royal palace);
Themsebrücke → die Brücke über die Themse (Thames bridge);
Riesenrad → ein riesengroßes Rad (giant Ferris wheel).