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| 1. Definition of a noun-verb 2. Examples of noun-verb 3. How to make sentences with noun-verbs 4. How to negate a sentence that contains a noun-verb |
A noun-verb from how it is called, is a unit combination of a noun and a verb which may slightly or entirely alter their original meaning. They are altenative forms of single verbs. The new meaning of the combination of noun-verbs is majorly determined by the noun. When a noun-verb is used in a german sentence, the verb should not be translated literally as it was formerly known. Some examples are listed below.
| German | Literal meaning | True meaning | Alternative verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party machen | to make party | to do party | feiern |
| Urlaub machen | to make holiday | to spend holiday | – |
| langes Gesicht machen | to make a long face | to look sad | traurig aussehen |
| Abschied nehmen | to take farewell | to say goodbye | tschüss sagen |
| Abstand nehmen | to take distance | to refrain | meiden |
| Angst haben | to have fear | to to be afraid | ängstigen |
| Angst machen | to make fear | to scare | beängstigen |
| Anspruch nehmen | to take claim | to take advantage | nutzen |
| viel Arbeit machen | to make a lot of work | to cause a lot of work | ermüden |
| Bezug nehmen | to take bearing | to make a reference | sich beziehen |
| Durst haben | to have thirst | to be thirsty | durstig sein |
| Hunger haben | to have hunger | to be hungry | hungrig sein |
| Einfluss nehmen | to take influence | to have influence | beeinflussen |
| Erfolg haben | to have success | to be successful | erfolgreich sein |
| Feierabend machen | to make party evening | to be free of duty | vollenden |
| Foto machen | to make picture | to take photograph | fotografieren |
| Geburtstag haben | to have birthday | to be plus one | plus eins werden |
| Glück haben | to have luck | to be lucky | glücklich sein |
| Pech haben | to have pitch | to be unlucky | unglücklich sein |
| Schluss machen | to make conclusion | to break-up | sich trennen |
| Karriere machen | to make career | to be career oriented | – |
| Hoffnung machen | to make hope | to give hope | |
| Angebot machen | to make offer | to make an offer | anbieten |
| Nickerchen machen | to make closed-eye | to take a nap | einnicken |
| Chance haben | to have chance | to have an opportunity | gelegen |
| Fliege machen | to make fly | to deal with it | weggehen |
| Freude machen | to make pleasure | to be pleased | gefallen |
| Pause machen | to make pause | to go for a break | ruhen |
| Unterschied machen | to make difference | to be a difference | sich unterscheiden |
| Eindruck machen | to make impression | to give an impression | beeindrucken |
| Gewinn machen | to make win | to make profit | profitieren |
| Verlust machen | to make loss | to have a loss | verlieren |
| Platz nehmen | to take place | to take a seat | sich setzen |
| Vorschlag machen | to make suggestion | to give a suggestion | vorschlagen |
| Stress machen | to make stress | to cause stress | erschöpfen |
| Ärger machen | to make annoyance | to cause trouble | belästigen |
| sich Gedanken machen | to make thought | to think to oneself | denken |
| sich Sorgen machen | to make worry | to trouble oneself | berühren |
| Spaß machen | to make fun | to be fun | sich amüsieren |
| Lust haben | to have desire | to be interested | interessant sein |
| zu Fuß gehen | to go to foot | to trek | bewegen |
| Spaziergang machen | to make stroll | to go for a walk | spazieren gehen |
| Ausflug machen | to make outing | to go for an outing | — |
| Dusch haben | to have shower | to take a shower | duschen |
From the table, the meaning of these noun-verbs can either be literal or true which is the exact meaning it gives in English. However, it is this true meaning that should be used to translate. Sometimes, the literal meaning may be the same as the true meaning. Just use it anyway…
How to make sentences with German noun verbs
To make a sentence using a noun-verb, the verb in the combination is either conjugated in the second position to the subject or used as the supported verb which is placed at the end of a sentence in the case of having a modal verb. The noun on the other hand becomes the direct object or Akkusativ in the sentence. The use of articles with these nouns may or may not be necessary. See the different illustrations below.
1. When there is just one verb present
The verb is conjugated in the second position while the noun is used as the object. See examples below.
| Usage |
|---|
| 1. Ich mache jeden Tag um 12.00 Uhr Pause.—— I go on Break every day at 12 O’clock. 2. Die Firma meiner Schwiegereltern hat letztes Jahr so viel Verlust gemacht.–– The company of my in-laws lost a lot last year. 3. Kira hat am Dienstag Geburtstag.—— Kira will be +1 on Tuesday. 4.Wann machst du Feierabend?—— when are you closing for today? |
2. When it is used with modal verb
The modal verb is conjugated in the second position while the entire Noun-verb is placed at the end of the sentence. See the illustrations below.
| Usage |
|---|
| 1. Du solltest keinen Hunger haben.—— you were not supposed to be hungry. 2. Wo wollen wir nächsten Sommer unseren Urlaub machen?—— where do we want to spending our holiday next Sommer?. 3. Eva, leider müssen wir Schluss machen.—— Eva, unfortunately we have to break up. 4. Warum muss ich von Petra Acht nehmen?—— why do i have to be wary of Petra? 5. Du darfst hier kein Foto machen.—— you are not allowed to take pictures here. |
3. When negated with “nicht”
| Usage |
|---|
| 1. Warum nimmst du den Platz nicht?—— why are you not taking the seat. 2. Hast du den Platz nicht genommen?–– Did you not take the seat? |