Konversion Glossary of terms

Konversion is the process of changing the grammatical category of a word without modifying its form.

Additional Information

Detailed Explanation

Konversion is a productive mechanism in German for creating new words. It allows transforming verbs into nouns, adjectives into nouns, and vice versa, without adding affixes. This process enriches the vocabulary and offers flexibility in linguistic expression.

It is especially common in the formation of nouns from verb infinitives.

Usage examples of "Konversion"

📝 Some usage examples:
  1. laufen (verb) → das Laufen (noun)The verb 'to run' is converted into the noun 'the running' without changing its form.
  2. grün (adjective) → das Grün (noun)The adjective 'green' is transformed into the noun 'the green (color)' while keeping the same form.
  3. ernst (adjective) → ernst nehmen (verb)The adjective 'serious' becomes part of the verb 'to take seriously' without changes to its form.
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