German Compound Words

One of the most unique features of German is its compound words. German allows you to combine smaller words into one long word that expresses a very specific idea. This can be challenging at first, but is also incredibly useful.

In this guide, we’ll explain how German compound words work, what rules you need to know, and give you some practical examples.

What are Compound Words?

A compound word is a word made up of two or more smaller words. In German, these smaller words are usually nouns, but compounds can also involve verbs and adjectives.

Let's look at a simple example:

The new word das Tischbein gives a specific meaning: the leg of a table. This is much more compact than saying it in English.

Why Compound Words?

German prefers to build new meanings by combining existing words, instead of creating completely new ones. This is helpful because:

• You already know the parts of the word
• You can guess the meaning
• It keeps the vocabulary flexible and precise

Have a close look at these words:

Instead of saying 'statutory accident insurance', German just says die Arbeitsunfallversicherung:

Common Compound Words

Here are some real-life examples that show how common and practical German compounds are.

These are not made-up examples. You will hear and read them every day in Germany.

Animal names are also great examples of this. Take a look at our blog post on funny German animal names. It's made up entirely of compound words.

Linking Letters

Sometimes German uses a small letter to connect the parts of a compound word. These are called Fugenlaute (linking sounds). They are not always logical, but they are very common.

Here are some examples:

The linking letter can be an s, n, or even e. There is no fixed rule, but with experience you will begin to recognise patterns.

Funny Compound Words

German is also famous for its long or humorous compound words.

Here are some examples of words that might seem a bit funny, when you break them down into their individual components:

There are also incredibly long ones, often used in legal or administrative language, but sometimes also in jokes or everyday speech:

And, lastly, some compound words seem rather untranslatable. They have no exact equivalent in English and often require full sentences to explain, but are commonly used words in German:

Once you get used to these kinds of compounds, you’ll really start to understand German.

Tips for Learning

When you come across compound words while studying German vocabulary, remember this:

• always look for the parts you already know
• learn to recognise common building blocks like Haus, Zeit, Auto, Bahn, Arbeit
• use flashcards that show both the parts and the full word

You don’t need to memorise every long word. Focus on understanding the logic behind how German puts words together.

Final Thoughts

German compound words may look long and scary at first, but they follow clear and consistent patterns. Once you start to see the parts inside the word, it becomes easier to understand new vocabulary and expand your range naturally.