Key points about using prefixes
A prefix is a word or A word which cannot be categorised as a noun, verb or adjective. It does not make sense on its own but can modify other words. added to the start of a word to change its meaning.
By adding the prefix un- to an An adjective is a describing word that describes a noun or pronoun. the opposite meaning of the original word can be expressed.
For example: Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.happy → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.unhappy
The prefixes Lieblings-favourite and Haupt-main can be used to create A noun formed by combining two or more other nouns..
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Using un- to create opposites
The A small word part, eg an-, auf-, ein-, mit- un-added to the start of a word to create a new meaning.un- can used to change the meaning of the word to form its opposite:
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.happy → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.unhappy
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.polite → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.impolite
Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.friendly → Check your connection, refresh the page and try again.unfriendly
Mini quiz
Change the sentence so it means the opposite.
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I find football really (un)interesting.
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My passport is (in)valid!
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My new trainers are very (un)comfortable.
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My bedroom is always (un)tidy.
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My little brother is quite (im)patient.
Forming compound nouns
Lieblings-
The prefix Lieblings- is used to create a compound noun to express a preference:
Lieblings + Film → Mein Lieblingsfilmmy favourite film
Lieblings + Musik → Meine Lieblingsmusikmy favourite music
Lieblings + Hobby → Mein Lieblingshobbymy favourite hobby
Lieblings + Fußball + Mannschaft → Meine Lieblingsfußballmannschaftmy favourite football team
The All nouns in German are either masculine, feminine or neuter. of the compound noun is determined by the final word:
- Lieblings + Fußball + Mannschaft → The name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words. which end in -schaft are feminine which means Lieblingsfußballmannschaft will also be All nouns in German are either masculine, feminine or neuter. .
Haupt-
The prefix Haupt- is used to create a compound noun to express importance:
Haupt + Gericht → das Hauptgerichtmain course
Haupt + Stadt → die Haupstadtcapital city
Haupt + Bahnhof → der Hauptbahnhofmain train station
Like Lieblings- the gender of the compound noun is also determined by the final word:
der Darsteller → der Hauptdarstellerthe main actor
die Person → die Hauptpersonthe main person
Mini quiz
Translate the questions into German.
- What is your favourite subject?
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- What is the capital city of Germany?
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Quiz
Check your understanding of prefixes, gender and opposites by completing this multiple-choice quiz.
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