Genausländers: Ich bin neu hier.
The German language is famous for stringing short words together to make long words, sometimes really long words. Even Germans find it occasionally ridiculous. But it does make it a bit easier for someone just learning the language to puzzle out the meanings of unknown words. Unfortunately, as in English, sometimes it’s not so obvious. Here is a list of my favorite compound German words, along with a literal translation of each part. See if you can guess what they mean.
German Word……………..Literal Translation
Meerschweinchen …………..ocean + pig + diminutive ending
Schnurrbart…………………..purr or line/cord + beard
Schneebesen…………………..snow + broom
Wackelpudding……………….. bounce/jiggle + pudding
Hörnchen……………………….horn + diminutive ending
Eichhörnchen…………………red + horn + diminutive ending
Wasserstoff …………………….water + material/matter/stuff
Trinkgeld……………………….drink + money
Glühbirne………………………glow + pear
Have you made your best guesses? Click hereto see the answers.