German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of...
-
Upload
kerstin-bolz -
Category
Documents
-
view
111 -
download
1
Transcript of German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of...
![Page 1: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
German Grammar Lectures
Lecture 1:The Gender of German Nouns
Designed by Paul JoyceUniversity of Portsmouth
E-Mail: [email protected]
![Page 2: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
1.1 German noun declension
• There is no noun declension as such in German. Exceptions:
• -(e)s endings on masculine and neuter nouns
in the genitive casegenitive case
• -(e)n endings on nouns in the dative pluraldative plural
• Endings on weak masculine nouns
![Page 3: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
1.2 German Articles
• Instead German cases are shown by means of the articles i.e. words such as “a”or “the” which are invariable in English.
• The German definite article is called “der” and
equates to English “the”.
• The German indefinite article is called “ein” and equates to English “a”.
![Page 4: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
1.3 The Definite Article
Masc. Fem. Neut. Plural
Nom. der die das die
Acc. den die das die
Gen. des der des der
Dat. dem der dem den
![Page 5: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
1.4 The Indefinite Article
Masc. Fem. Neut. (Plural)
Nom. ein eine ein (keine)
Acc. einen eine ein (keine)
Gen. eines einer eines (keiner)
Dat. einem einer einem (keinen)
![Page 6: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
1.5 Know your genders!
• For this reason you must learn German nouns together with their gender as shown by the relevant definite article!
• As the previous tables indicate, German nouns
have one of three genders: masculine, feminine or neuter.
• There are no gender differences in the plural in German.
![Page 7: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
1.6 Quick Quiz (1)
• Because things are always referred to as “it” in English, English students of German tend to guess the gender of an unfamiliar word as neuter - “das”.
• But are they right to do so?
• Which of the three genders actually occurs most often in German?
![Page 8: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
1.7 Quiz Answer
• Approximately 45%45% of German nouns are masculine.
• 35%35% of German nouns are feminine.• Only 20%20% of German nouns are neuter!
![Page 9: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
1.8 Typisch deutsch!
• Whereas in English gender virtually always corresponds logically to the sex of the noun, this is not the case in German.
• Most German nouns denoting male people and animals are in fact masculine, and those denoting females are mostly feminine.
• BUT there are exceptions - das Mädchen, das Fräulein, das Weib!
![Page 10: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
1.9 Typisch deutsch (2)!
• And unlike English nouns, names of inanimate objects may be masculine, feminine or neuter in German.
• This state of affairs prompted the 19th Century American writer Mark Twain to make the following comment about the German language:
![Page 11: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
1.10 Mark Twain on German genders
• “In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has.”
• “Think what over-wrought reverence that shows for the turnip, and what callous disrespect for the girl.” (Mark Twain, 1880)
![Page 12: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
1.11 Basic rules of German gender
• Whilst you should always learn the gender of any new noun that you encounter, you should also remember that:
• Certain nouns have a particular gender because of their meaning.
• Other nouns have a particular gender because of their form.
![Page 13: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
1.12 Quiz (2) – Gender by meaning
• The meaning of the following nouns tells you their gender. Which is it? And why?
Arzt Süden Mittwoch Baby
J anuar Ypsilon Ärztin Löwe
Pony Löwin Kaffee Herbst
Table 1: Which gender
![Page 14: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
1.13 Quiz (2) - Masculine
• der Arzt; der Löwe - male person / animal• der Süden - point of the compass• der Herbst - season of the year• der Mittwoch - day of the week• der Januar - month of the year• der Kaffee - plant-based drink
![Page 15: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
1.14 Quiz (2) - Others
• die Ärztin - female person• die Löwin - female animal• das Baby - young person• das Pony - young animal• das Ypsilon - letter of the alphabet (and
musical notes)
![Page 16: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
1.15 Quiz (3) - Meaning
• Same again - only tougher!
Euro Balkan Boeing Köln
Atom Hagel Amazonas Wein
Elbe Europa Mercedes Tag
Gold Spanien Deutsch Vier
![Page 17: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
1.16 Quiz (3) - Masculine
• der Euro - currency (BUT: das Pfund!)• der Balkan - mountain (range)• der Hagel - weather phenomena• der Abend - part of day (BUT: die Nacht) • der Wein - alcoholic drink (BUT: das Bier!)• der Mercedes - make of car• der Amazonas - non-German river
![Page 18: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
1.17 Quiz (3) - Feminine
• die Elbe - German river (many exceptions: der Rhein; der Main; der Inn; der Lech)
• die Vier - name of numeral• die Boeing - aeroplane (BUT: der Airbus)• (die Honda - name of motorbike)• (die “Bismarck” - name of ship)
![Page 19: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
1.18 Quiz (3) - Neuter
• Köln, Spanien, EuropaKöln, Spanien, Europa - city, country, continent
• das Atomdas Atom - physical unit (i.e. das Pfund)• das Golddas Gold - metals, chemical elements (BUT:
die Bronze; der Stahl, Schwefel)• DeutschDeutsch - languages (like most non-nouns
used as nouns - das Ach, das Du, Doping)
![Page 20: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
1.19 Exceptions: gender by meaning
• There are many exceptions to these rules. Just think of countries!
• masculine - der Irak, der Iran, der Libanon, der Sudan, der Jemen, der Kongo
• feminine - die Schweiz; die Türkei, die Tschechische Republik, die Antarktis
• plural - die USA; die Niederlande
![Page 21: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
1.20 Quiz (4) – Gender by endings
• Find the gender again - now using endings!
Dynamit Panik Marxismus Datei
Einheit Viertel Konsonant Album
Blitz Qualität Bisschen Villa
Illusion Schema Botschaft Motor
![Page 22: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
1.21 Quiz (4) – Masculine nouns
• -ant - der Konsonant; der Diamant• -ich - der Teppich; der Wüterich• -ismus - der Marxismus, der Realismus• -(m)us - der Rhythmus; der Kasus• -or - der Motor (BUT: das Labor) • -pf, -ps - der Kopf; der Schlips• -tz - der Blitz; der Sitz
![Page 23: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
1.22 Quiz (4) – Feminine endings
• -a - die Villa; die Aura (BUT NOT -ma) • -ei - die Datei; die Bücherei• -heit - die Einheit; die Gesundheit• -ik - die Panik (BUT: der Atlantik, Pazifik) • -schaft - die Botschaft, die Gesellschaft• -sion - die Illusion; die Explosion• -tät - die Qualität; die Universität
![Page 24: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
1.23 Quiz (4) – Neuter endings
• -chen - das Bisschen, das Mädchen• -ell (stressed) - das Duell; das Rondell• -ett (stressed) - das Kabinett; das Ballett• -it - das Dynamit (BUT: der Profit, Granit)• -ma - das Schema (BUT: die Firma)• -tel - das Viertel, das Drittel• -um - das Album (BUT: der Konsum)
![Page 25: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
1.24 Quiz (5) - Endings
• Find the gender again - now using endings!
Freundin Benzin Liebling Portion
Eigentum Natur Heiterkeit Ventil
Element Honig Biologie Meinung
Eleganz Basis Büchlein Kontrast
![Page 26: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
1.25 Quiz (5) – Masculine nouns
• -ast - der Kontrast• -ig - der Honig; der Pfennig• -ling - der Liebling• Note also that most nouns formed from a
strong verb without a suffix are masculine: der Fall, der Biss, der Gang, der Schluss
• (BUT: das Band, Schloss, Verbot…)
![Page 27: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
1.26 Quiz (5) – Feminine nouns
• -anz, -enz - die Eleganz, die Existenz• -ie - die Biologie; die Hysterie• -in - die Freundin (= female being)• -keit - die Heiterkeit• -tion - die Revolution; die Station• -ur - die Natur (BUT: das Abitur, Futur)• -ung - die Meinung• -sis - die Basis
![Page 28: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
1.27 Quiz (5) – Neuter nouns
• -il - das Ventil• -in - das Benzin, Protein (= chemical terms)• -lein - das Büchlein; das Fräulein• -ment - das Element (BUT: der Zement)• -tel - das Viertel, das Drittel• -tum - das Eigentum (BUT: der Irrtum, der
Reichtum)
![Page 29: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
1.28 Tendencies: “-nis” endings
• We can only speak of tendencies with the following types of endings:
• -nis - 70% neuter endings: das Ereignis, das
Erlebnis, das Bedürfnis, das Ärgernis, das Geständnis, das Geheimnis, das Zeugnis
• -nis - 30% feminine endings: die Erlaubnis, die Erkenntnis, die Kenntnis, die Finsternis, die Besorgnis, die Wildnis
![Page 30: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
1.29 Tendencies: “-er” endings
• Nouns in -er denoting male persons are masculine: der Leiter (leader); der Bäcker
• Many other -er nouns are also masculine - especially instruments or tools: der Computer, der Wecker, der Stecker
• BUT many common -er nouns are feminine: die Butter, die Mauer, die Ader, die Feder, die Nummer, die Mutter, die Schwester
![Page 31: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
1.30 Tendencies: “-er” endings (2)
• And some 15% of -er nouns are neuter: das Fenster; das Fieber; das Wasser; das Alter
• Careful! Some -er nouns have two meanings depending on their gender:
• der Leiter (= leader); die Leiter (= ladder)• der Laster (= lorry); das Laster (= vice)• die Steuer (tax); das Steuer (steering wheel)
![Page 32: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
1.31 Tendencies: “-el” endings
• The majority of -el nouns are masculine: der Onkel; der Enkel; der Flügel
• About 25% of them however are feminine: die Wurzel; die Regel; die Insel; die Schüssel; die Kartoffel; die Gabel; die Nadel
• The rest of them are neuter: das Segel; das Mittel; das Bündel; das Mädel
![Page 33: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
1.32 Tendencies: “-en” endings
• About 60% of -en nouns are masculine: der Schatten; der Regen; der Magen
• None of them are feminine!
• Verbal infinitives ending in -en are neuter - das Kommen, das Essen, das Streben)
• Other -en nouns are also neuter: das Leben; das Zeichen; das Becken
![Page 34: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
1.33 Tendencies: “-e” endings
• About 90% of -e nouns are feminine: die Kirche; die Dame; die Straße etc.
• There are a number of exceptions:1) Two masculines - der Käse, der Charme2) Weak masculine nouns3) Neuter nouns beginning with “Ge-”4) Other neuters: das Auge, das Ende, das
Interesse, das Image
![Page 35: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
1.34 Tendencies: “-al” endings
• Nouns ending in a stressed -al tend to be neuter: das Ritual; das Lineal; das Journal, das Tribunal, das Arsenal etc.
• There are a number of exceptions:• Masculine - der Kanal, der General, der
Skandal• Feminine - die Moral
![Page 36: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
1.35 Tendencies: “-(i)cht” endings
• Nouns ending in -cht tend to be feminine: die Nacht; die Macht; die Sicht, die Pflicht
• Exceptions: das Recht; das Licht
• BUT polysyllabic nouns ending in -icht tend to be neuter - das Dickicht, Röhricht
• Exceptions - der Bericht; die Nachricht
![Page 37: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
1.36 Tendencies: “Ge-” nouns
• 90% of nouns starting with “Ge-” are neuter: das Gebäude; das Gesetz; das Gerät; das Gesicht, das Gespräch etc.
• Exceptions include 11 masculine nouns: • They are: der Gebrauch, der Gedanke, der
Gefallen, der Gehalt, der Gehorsam, der Genuss, der Geruch, der Gesang, der Geschmack, der Gestank, der Gewinn
![Page 38: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
1.37 Tendencies: Ge- nouns (2)
• Weak masculine nouns: der Genosse / die Genossin; der Geselle / die Gesellin
• 11 feminine Ge- nouns: die Gebärde, die Gebühr, die Geburt, die Geduld, die Gefahr, die Gemeinde, die Geschichte, die Geschwulst, die Gestalt, die Gewähr, die Gewalt
• der Gefallen (favour); das Gefallen (pleasure)• der Gehalt (content); das Gehalt (salary)
![Page 39: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
1.38 Tendencies: Imported nouns
• The tendency to say that imported nouns are automatically neuter should be resisted!
• This is true for some endings - i.e. -o / -eau: das Auto, das Büro, das Kino, das Konto
• Other imported noun endings are neuter if they refer to things (-är: das Militär, Salär; -ent: das Talent) but masculine when they refer to people: der Aktionär; der Student
![Page 40: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
1.39 Gender of imported nouns (2)
• Other imported endings are feminine: • -ade: die Marmelade, die Ballade• -age: die Garage, die Etage, die Courage• -elle: die Frikadelle, die Bagatelle• -ette: die Etikette, die Toilette• -itis: die Bronchitis, die Arthritis• -ose: die Neurose, die Tuberkulose• -üre: die Broschüre
![Page 41: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
1.40 Recent imported nouns
• Large scale borrowing of words from English is a characteristic feature of modern German.
• Many English words adopt the gender of the
nearest German equivalent:• der Airport (= der Flughafen) • das Bike (= das Fahrrad)• der Shop (= der Laden)
![Page 42: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
1.41 Recent imported nouns (2)
• BUT it is the ending of some English words that determines the gender in German:
• die City, die Party, die Publicity (because -ie is a feminine ending)
• der Computer, der Dimmer, der Container (as -er for instruments is masculine)
• Monosyllabic nouns from verbs are often masculine: der Hit, der Look, der Talk
![Page 43: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
1.42 Gender of compound nouns
• Compound nouns usually have the gender of their final component:
• der Plan hence der Fahrplan• das Bad hence das Hallenbad
• Exceptions: das Wort BUT die Antwort• der Mut BUT die Armut, die Schwermut• die Scheu BUT der Abscheu
![Page 44: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
1.43 Gender of abbreviations
• The gender of abbreviations is determined by the basic word:
• die CDU: die Christlich-Demokratische Union• der HSV: der Hamburger Sportverein• Shortened words have the gender of the full
form: die Uni (die Universität); der Krimi (der Kriminalroman); der Akku (der Akkumulator)
• BUT das Foto despite die Fotografie
![Page 45: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
1.44 Quiz: Conclusion
• See how important it is to know gender rules and exceptions! Using the articles below state how many items there are and their case:
Question 1: die Lehrer; der LehrerinQuestion 2: der Mauer; der MaurerQuestion 3: die Katze; die SchätzeQuestion 4: die Mädchen; den Männchen
![Page 46: German Grammar Lectures Lecture 1: The Gender of German Nouns Designed by Paul Joyce University of Portsmouth E-Mail: Paul.Joyce@port.ac.uk.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062512/55204d7549795902118ca5ed/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
1.45 Quiz: Answers
• die Lehrer (masc. plural - nom. / acc.); der Lehrerin (fem. singular - genitive / dative)
• der Mauer (fem. singular - genitive / dative; der Maurer (masc. plural. - genitive)
• die Katze (fem. singular - nom. / acc.); die Schätze (masc. plural - nom. / acc.)
• die Mädchen (neuter plural - nom. / acc.); den Männchen (neuter plural - dative)