26.3 Formation
of compound words - Determining and Determined
Compound words are always composed of a determining
part and a part that is determined. The part, which is
determined, is always in the last position within the
word and defines what the thing actually is and it
also determines the article of the compound word.
Example I
(das Telefonkabel)
das Kabel
= cable
das Telefon
= telephone
das Telefonkabel
= telephone cable
The Telefonkabel is
a cable not a telephone. The determined part is Kabel
and not Telefon. The Telefon
specifies Kabel and gives
us the information, what kind of cable it is.
Example II
(das Haustelefon)
das Telefon
= telephone
das Haus
= house
das Haustelefon
= intercom
Once more: The Telefon
is the determined; we know it is a telephone.
The Haus specifies what
kind of telephone it is.
Example III
determining
determined
translation
die Haus-
tür
entrance (door of a house)
die Eingangs-
entrance door
die Metall-
door made of metal
die Auto-
door of a car
Example IV
determining
determined
translation
Strom-
preis (der)
price for electricity
leitung (die)
electric wire
schlag (der)
electric shock
versorgung (die)
electric supply
If you find this trivial, fine for us. We just had the
experience that learners of German language often mix
the order of compound words, and that might result in funny
things or total misunderstandings. Just a short example
for this:
der
Pelzfaul
does not mean anything
but der
Faulpelz
lazybones
The Faulpelz is above all
a Pelz (fur)
and this Pelz is faul
(lazy). Meaning, that
this fur is lazy, in figurative meaning this person is
lazy.
