The idea
Split each compound below into meaningful components. Write the article of the final noun, then explain the complete word in a phrase. Check that your interpretation describes the object in the sentence, not merely the components in isolation.
| Arbeitsschritt | Beobachtung |
|---|---|
| Vor dem Üben | Was möchte ich ohne Hilfe sagen? |
| Beim Üben | Welche Stelle brauche ich noch als Modell? |
| Nach dem Üben | Kann ich die Information in einem neuen Satz verwenden? |
A concrete practice sequence
Split each compound below into meaningful components. Write the article of the final noun, then explain the complete word in a phrase. Check that your interpretation describes the object in the sentence, not merely the components in isolation.
Check the model sentence
die Haustürschlüssel (ein Schlüssel)der HaustürschlüsselFor one key, Schlüssel is the masculine head; Tür does not determine this compound's gender.
Using this beside glotworld
Use these original examples as a separate practice sheet before or after a game session. glotworld offers A1, A2, B1 practice for German learners, with meanings and help in 12 languages, including English and Turkish. A microphone is not required. The game does not score pronunciation or award a language certificate; these exercises do not claim to appear in a particular game scene.
Examples
- Der Fahrradschlüssel steckt noch im Schloss.The bicycle key is still in the lock.
- Die Bushaltestelle vor dem Theater wird verlegt.The bus stop in front of the theatre is being moved.
- Das Küchenfenster bleibt während des Kochens offen.The kitchen window stays open while cooking.
- Der Haustürschlüssel hat einen grünen Anhänger.The front-door key has a green tag.
- Die Stadtbibliothek bestellt das gewünschte Buch für mich.The city library orders the requested book for me.
- Das Wochenendticket gilt nur für die angegebene Verbindung.The weekend ticket is valid only for the connection indicated.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
The head gives a useful grammatical clue, but a compound's conventional meaning may not be predictable from its pieces alone. Treat an unfamiliar interpretation as a hypothesis until the context or a reference confirms it.
Try it yourself
Welcher Bestandteil bestimmt das Genus von „die Bushaltestelle“?
Show answer or example answer
die Haltestelle
Haltestelle is the final component and provides the feminine gender.
Erkläre „der Fahrradschlüssel“ mit einer Wortgruppe.
Show answer or example answer
der Schlüssel für das Fahrrad
The explanation keeps Schlüssel as the object and Fahrrad as the specification.
Schreibe eine neue Variante des letzten Beispiels. Ändere eine konkrete Information und behalte den Satzbau bei.
Show answer or example answer
Muster zum Variieren: Das Wochenendticket gilt nur für die angegebene Verbindung.
The last example supplies a sentence pattern, not a single compulsory answer. Change a detail that fits the situation and keep the verb, case and meaning consistent.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Welcher Bestandteil bestimmt das Genus von „die Bushaltestelle“?
Erkläre „der Fahrradschlüssel“ mit einer Wortgruppe.
der Schlüssel für das Fahrrad
Schreibe eine neue Variante des letzten Beispiels. Ändere eine konkrete Information und behalte den Satzbau bei.
Muster zum Variieren: Das Wochenendticket gilt nur für die angegebene Verbindung.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Repeat the sequence with a fresh situation. To unpack a German compound noun, start with its final component. That head normally determines the compound's grammatical gender and basic category. Then use the earlier components to narrow the meaning, checking the whole word in context. Keep one first attempt and one correction so you can compare what you produced before seeing a model.