German Word-Formation Table182

German word formation is a complex and fascinating process that allows for the creation of new words from existing ones. This can be done in a variety of ways, including affixation, compounding, and conversion. Affixation is the process of adding prefixes or suffixes to a word to change its meaning. Compounding is the process of combining two or more words to create a new word. Conversion is the process of changing the part of speech of a word without changing its form.

The German word-formation table below provides an overview of the most common prefixes, suffixes, and compounding elements in German. It also includes examples of how these elements can be used to create new words.

Prefixes

Prefix
Meaning
Example

ab-
away
abgehen (to leave)

auf-
up
aufmachen (to open)

be-
(a) around, (b) intensive
(a) begleiten (to accompany), (b) betrunken (drunk)

ent-
away
entkommen (to escape)

er-
(a) out, (b) intensive
(a) erhalten (to receive), (b) erschrecken (to frighten)

ge-
(a) past participle, (b) collective
(a) gemacht (made), (b) Gebirge (mountains)

hinter-
behind
hinterlassen (to leave behind)

in-
(a) in, (b) negative
(a) hinein (into), (b) unmöglich (impossible)

mit-
with
mitbringen (to bring along)

nach-
after
nachdenken (to think about)

über-
over
übersetzen (to translate)

um-
(a) around, (b) over
(a) umfahren (to drive around), (b) umdrehen (to turn over)

unter-
under
untergehen (to go under)

vor-
(a) before, (b) in front of
(a) vorsingen (to sing in front of), (b) voran (in front)

weg-
away
weggehen (to go away)

zurück-
back
zurückkommen (to come back)

Suffixes

Suffix
Meaning
Example

-chen
diminutive
Tischchen (little table)

-ei
(a) collective, (b) place
(a) Bücherei (library), (b) Bäckerei (bakery)

-er
(a) agent, (b) collective
(a) Lehrer (teacher), (b) Kinder (children)

-heit
quality
Freiheit (freedom)

-keit
state
Krankheit (illness)

-ling
diminutive
Säugling (infant