B1 → Grammar · Lesson 20 of 23

German Word Formation: Nominalization and Compound Words

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Before this lesson: make sure you've covered Participles as Adjectives first.

German builds new words constantly by combining parts you already know — turning verbs and adjectives into nouns (nominalization), and joining words into compounds. Recognizing these patterns lets you understand words you've never seen before.

Types you should know

Verb → Nomen

infinitive as a noun: das Lernen (learning)

Adjektiv → Nomen

-heit/-keit: die Freiheit, die Möglichkeit

Nomen → Adjektiv

-lich/-ig/-isch: freundlich, wichtig, typisch

See it in action

Base word	New word	Meaning
lernen (verb)	das Lernen	learning (the act of)
frei (adjective)	die Freiheit	freedom
möglich (adjective)	die Möglichkeit	possibility
der Freund (noun)	freundlich	friendly
wichtig (adjective)	die Wichtigkeit	importance

Memory trick: Any infinitive can become a neuter noun just by capitalizing it: lernen → das Lernen, schwimmen → das Schwimmen. -heit and -keit nouns are always feminine.

⚠ Common mistake: Don't guess the gender of a nominalized infinitive — it's always neuter (das), while -heit/-keit nouns are always feminine (die), no exceptions.

🎯 Quick check

What gender is a noun formed with -heit or -keit (like die Freiheit)?

German Word Formation: Nominalization and Compound Words

Types you should know

See it in action

🎯 Quick check

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