Grundwort

base word, root morpheme

noun GRONT-vort Rare

Also means

head word in a compound

Usage Note

Grundwort in German grammar specifically denotes the final (and determining) element of a compound noun, which also determines its gender. In Haustür the Grundwort is Tür (f), making the compound feminine. Contrasted with Bestimmungswort (the modifying element: Haus-).

Examples

"Das Grundwort bestimmt den Artikel des zusammengesetzten Substantivs."

Natural Translation

The base word determines the article of the compound noun.

Literal Translation

The base word determines the article of the compound noun.

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