German pronunciation practice: stress in useful multi-part compounds

The idea

German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.

A controlled speaking comparison

Keep a single focus for one attempt: Bahnhof-s-information; Teilnehmer-liste; Rückruf-nummer. Read a complete sentence, compare it with a dictionary or a suitable spoken model, and change one feature at a time. Device speech is synthetic and varies by browser. It may not produce the exact contrastive stress you intend; for such contrasts, speak the marked focus yourself or work with a listener.

Examples

• Die Bahnhofsinformation liegt gleich neben dem Eingang.The station information desk is right beside the entrance.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.
• Auf der Teilnehmerliste fehlen noch zwei Unterschriften.Two signatures are still missing from the participant list.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.
• Bitte prüfe die Veranstaltungsnummer auf der Bestätigung.Please check the event number on the confirmation.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.
• Der Fahrradabstellplatz befindet sich hinter dem Gebäude.The bicycle parking area is behind the building.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.
• In der Küchenarbeitsplatte ist eine kleine Markierung.There is a small mark in the kitchen worktop.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.
• Die Rückrufnummer steht unten auf dem Nachrichtenblatt.The callback number is at the bottom of the message sheet.Target in context: stress in useful multi-part compounds. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.

Watch out

Do not assume that every compound has exactly the same stress structure; compare each complete target word with a model.

Try it yourself

1. Markiere die Zielstelle in diesen Wörtern und lies anschließend den vollständigen Beispielsatz: Bahnhof-s-information; Teilnehmer-liste; Rückruf-nummer.

   Show answer or example answer

   Zielwörter: Bahnhof-s-information; Teilnehmer-liste; Rückruf-nummer. Beachte dazu: Deutsche Zusammensetzungen tragen häufig einen Hauptakzent in einem früheren Bestandteil und Nebenakzente später. Erkenne für diese Beispiele zuerst die sinnvollen Teile. Sprich das lange Wort zusammenhängend, ohne es zu hetzen oder in unverbundene Wörter zu zerlegen.

   The target set is Bahnhof-s-information; Teilnehmer-liste; Rückruf-nummer. German compounds often carry a main stress in an earlier constituent and secondary prominence later. For these examples, identify the meaningful parts before speaking the whole word. A very long word need not be rushed or split into unrelated words; keep its internal structure audible.

2. Erkläre die hier geübte Aussprache einem Lernpartner. Nenne ein Beispiel und eine Grenze der Regel.

   Show answer or example answer

   Deutsche Zusammensetzungen tragen häufig einen Hauptakzent in einem früheren Bestandteil und Nebenakzente später. Erkenne für diese Beispiele zuerst die sinnvollen Teile. Sprich das lange Wort zusammenhängend, ohne es zu hetzen oder in unverbundene Wörter zu zerlegen. Nimm nicht für jedes Kompositum genau dieselbe Akzentstruktur an; vergleiche jedes ganze Zielwort mit einem Vorbild.

   Do not assume that every compound has exactly the same stress structure; compare each complete target word with a model. A useful explanation includes the selected pattern and its context rather than a rule about every German word.

3. Sprich zwei eigene Sätze mit den Zielwörtern. Vergleiche zunächst langsam, danach in einem verständlichen normalen Tempo.

   Show answer or example answer

   Mögliche Satzmuster: Die Bahnhofsinformation liegt gleich neben dem Eingang. Auf der Teilnehmerliste fehlen noch zwei Unterschriften. Achte auf Verständlichkeit und das konkrete Ziel, nicht auf möglichst hohes Tempo.

   Many original sentences are possible. The intended word and message should remain recognizable. Use a relevant spoken model and listener feedback; the page does not automatically assess the recording.

Use it today

Take “Die Bahnhofsinformation liegt gleich neben dem Eingang.” and “Auf der Teilnehmerliste fehlen noch zwei Unterschriften.” and change one detail in each while keeping the focus on Bahnhof-s-information; Teilnehmer-liste; Rückruf-nummer. Say each slowly and then at a comfortable conversational pace. Ask a listener what they understood. If you record yourself in your own recording app, compare a specific feature rather than judging your entire accent at once.