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German Adjective Formation

Adjective formation (Adjektivbildung) is the process of creating adjectives from other word types using specific suffixes. This powerful feature of German allows you to expand your vocabulary by transforming nouns, verbs, and even other adjectives into descriptive words.

Common adjective suffixes:

  • From nouns: -lich, -ig, -isch, -haft
  • From verbs: -bar, -sam, participles
  • Negation: -los (without), -frei (free from)

Formation from Nouns

The most common way to form adjectives is by adding suffixes (and proper declension) to nouns. Each suffix conveys a specific meaning or relationship.

SuffixMeaningNoun → AdjectiveExampleTranslation
-lichhaving the quality ofFreundfreundlichein freundlicher Manna friendly man
-ighaving, full ofSteinsteinigein steiniger Wega stony path
-ischbelonging to, typical ofKindkindischein kindisches Verhaltenchildish behavior
-hafthaving the nature ofTraumtraumhafteine traumhafte Reisea dreamlike journey
-saminclined toMühemühsameine mühsame Arbeitlaborious work
-ernmade of (material)Holzhölzernein hölzerner Tischa wooden table

Two important negative suffixes create adjectives meaning "without" or "free from":

SuffixMeaningNoun → AdjectiveExampleTranslation
-loswithout, lackingHoffnunghoffnungsloseine hoffnungslose Situationa hopeless situation
-freifree fromAlkoholalkoholfreiein alkoholfreies Getränkan alcohol-free drink
-vollfull ofHoffnunghoffnungsvolleine hoffnungsvolle Zukunfta hopeful future

Note on connecting -s-:

  • Some nouns add a connecting -s- before -los or -voll
  • Examples: Hoffnungslos, Bedeutungsvoll

Formation from Verbs

Verbs can be transformed into adjectives adding specific suffixes to their stems or by using their participle forms (just like in gerundiv) .

MethodFormationVerb → AdjectiveExampleTranslation
-barcan be doneessen → essbarein essbarer Pilzan edible mushroom
-samtendency toschweigen → schweigsamein schweigsamer Menscha silent person
Partizip Iverb + -endschlafen → schlafenddas schlafende Kindthe sleeping child
Partizip IIge- + verb + -t/-enbrechen → gebrochenein gebrochenes Herza broken heart

The suffix -bar is particularly productive and creates adjectives meaning "able to be X-ed":

Common -bar adjectives:

  • lesen → lesbar (readable)
  • trinken → trinkbar (drinkable)
  • sehen → sichtbar (visible)
  • lösen → lösbar (solvable)

Learn more about Participles

Formation from Other Adjectives

Adjectives can be modified to create new adjectives with slightly different meanings. The most common suffix is -lich, which softens or approximates the original meaning.

Base AdjectiveModified AdjectiveMeaning ChangeExample
grün (green)grünlichgreenisheine grünliche Farbe
klein (small)kleinlichpetty, pedanticein kleinlicher Mensch

Note that -lich can sometimes change the meaning significantly, not just approximate it.

Umlaut Changes

When forming adjectives, the stem vowel often undergoes umlaut changes: aä, oö, uü.

Base WordAdjective with UmlautExampleTranslation
Mann (man)männlicheine männliche Stimmea masculine voice
Tag (day)täglichdie tägliche Routinethe daily routine
Dorf (village)dörflicheine dörfliche Gegenda rural area

Meaning Nuances

Different suffixes can create adjectives with distinct meanings from the same base word. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right adjective.

Base WordAdjective 1Adjective 2Meaning Difference
Kind (child)kindlichkindischchildlike (positive) vs. childish (negative)
Herr (lord)herrlichherrischmagnificent vs. domineering
Wunder (wonder)wunderbarwunderlichwonderful vs. peculiar, strange

Suffix meanings:

  • -lich often creates more neutral or positive adjectives
  • -isch can have negative connotations or indicate origin
  • -haft and -bar are usually positive or neutral

Compound Adjectives

Besides using suffixes, German also forms adjectives through compounding - combining two or more words into a single adjective.

ComponentsCompound AdjectiveExampleTranslation
eis + kalteiskaltein eiskaltes Getränkan ice-cold drink
himmel + blauhimmelblauein himmelblaues Kleida sky-blue dress
stein + reichsteinreicheine steinreiche Familiea filthy rich family