Adjective Suffixes
In this lesson of the Learn German course, you'll learn some more common German adjectives. You'll also learn some suffixes that are used to create adjectives. The grammar of German adjectives is discussed in the Adjectives lesson.
Online flashcards and a quiz are included in the lesson to help you learn the adjectives.
Grammar
Creating adjectives from verbs
In German the past participle of many verbs can be used as an adjective.
Examples
| Verb | Adjective | English |
|---|---|---|
| langweilen | gelangweilt | bored |
| beschäftigen | beschäftigt | busy, occupied |
| brauchen | gebraucht | used |
Suffixes
A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word.
In German there are several suffixes that can be added to nouns to convert them to adjectives. The most common of these suffixes are:
| German Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ig | Characterized by, inclined to, has a lot of. Same as the English suffix y. |
| lich | Same as the english suffix ly, but is used more often in German to create adjectives. |
| bar | Capable of being, or full of. Often used in German where English uses the suffix able. |
| sam | Similar to or same as. Same as English suffix some. |
| isch | Same as English suffixes ish and ic. |
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German Adjectives
Here are some more very common German adjectives.
| albern | silly |
| alle | all |
| andere | other |
| anders | different |
| ärgerlich | annoying |
| aufgebracht | upset |
| aufgeregt | excited |
| beliebt | popular |
| bequem | comfortable |
| beschäftigt | busy |
| besorgt | worried |
| bunt | colorful |
| dreckig | dirty |
| dunkel | dark |
| echt | real |
| egoistisch | selfish, egotistical |
| einsam | lonely |
| etwas | some |
| faul | lazy |
| frei | free, open, clear |
| freundlich | friendly, kind |
| fröhlich | cheerful |
| früh | early |
| furchtbar | awful |
| ganz | entire, whole |
| geizig | mean |
| gelangweilt | bored |
| gemeinsam | common |
| gesund | healthy |
| gewöhnlich | usual |
| glänzend | shiny, glossy, glittering |
| gleich | same |
| glücklich | happy, lucky |
| haupt | main |
| heiter | cheerful, serene |
| hilfreich | helpful |
| klar | clear |
| klein | small, little |
| kürzlich | recent |
| langweilig | boring |
| leer | empty |
| mutig | brave, courageous |
| natürlich | natural |
| ruhig | calm |
| sauber | clean |
| schaurig | scary |
| scheu | shy |
| schläfrig | sleepy |
| schrecklich | terrible, horrible |
| selbstsüchtig | selfish |
| selten | rare |
| seltsam | strange |
| sicher | certain |
| sorgfältig | careful (thorough) |
| tapfer | brave, courageous |
| teuer | expensive |
| trübe | murky, dim |
| überfüllt | crowded |
| üblich | usual, customary, common |
| ungewöhnlich | unusual |
| unmöglich | impossible |
| verärgert | annoyed |
| verletzt | hurt |
| verrückt | crazy |
| voll | full |
| vorsichtig | careful, cautious |
| wichtig | important |
| wund | sore |
| zäh | tough |
Adjective Flashcards
Here are some flashcards to help you learn the German adjectives included in this lesson.
Practice
For each question, write out the sentence using the German word for the adjective in parentheses.
Es ist sehr ___. (important)
Das ist eine ___ Aufgabe. (impossible)
Warum sind sie so ___? (excited)
Die Straßen sind ___. (empty)
Das ist ___! (crazy)
Es ist ein sehr ___ Restaurant. (crowded)
Das ist ein sehr ___ Auto. (small)
Die Nacht ist wirklich ___. (dark)
Practice writing sentences with the German adjectives included in this lesson. This will not only help you learn the adjectives, but will also help you to be able to think in German.
Here is a text area where you can practice writing German.
Quiz
Here's an online quiz to help you learn the adjectives included in this lesson.