Use compound words correctly

Compound words - a little theory 

Compound words are a composition of two or more words and, similar to several notes, make a sound. In technical terms, however, this process is called "compound word" (composition).

• The term "composition" denotes both the word formation process, the actual composition and the result. The result is called the compound word. The composition is in German language one of the most important types of word formation.
• If you look at compound words, they are made up of two or more separate words. This defines a word more precisely.
• You can distinguish compound words into determiners and basic words. The basic word is determined in more detail by the determiner.
• Example: In the word "goldfish", the basic word "fish" is determined more precisely by the word "gold". The word "snow white" contains the basic word "white" and is determined by the noun "snow". The basic word is usually in the back, the defining word in front.
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• All parts of speech can be used for word compositions: nouns, adjectives, verbs.
  Warning: syllables expand words, but are not compound words. These are two separate words.

Advantages of compound words

• You can specify the meaning of compound words and thus create new words as well. In the example above, "goldfish", the fish species is named in the same way. Just like the color "white" is described in more detail.
• Compound words are made up of several words and can be separated more easily. Although the individual words also consist of syllables, the separation of the individual words seems easier.
• Furthermore, word formation with several words creates a word sound.

Word games - a bit of fun

• With compound words can grammar also be fun in German lessons. You can create word queues as well as develop a word that is as long as possible.
• Word chains are also an option if you are creative. They are a lot of fun, especially in a group. In the case of word strings, a new word must always be formed with the last word mentioned. In this way, a language understanding can be built up and the fun is inevitable.