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Learn to Speak German Online:
German Grammar Guidebook

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Origin

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Proper Adjectives

Adjectives denoting nationalities are called proper adjectives.In English, they are capitalized, but in German they are written in lower case.
 

ein türkisches Restaurant
a Turkish restaurant

Adjectives Formed from Place Names

Place names are made into adjectives in German by suffixing -er. Such adjectives are indeclinable.
 

Münchner Bier
Munich beer
 
Harzer Gegend
Harz Mountain area
 
Frankfurter Flughafen
Frankfurt airport
 
Frankfurter Wurst
Frankfurt sausage
 
Bernkasteler Probstberg
Bernkastel Probstberg (wine from Probstberg vineyard)

Adjectives Formed from Years

Years are made into adjectives in German by suffixing -er. These adjectives are also indeclinable.
 

Sie hat einen roten 82er Mercedes 300.
She has a red 1982 Mercedes 300.

 



Examples of Origin

  • Essen Sie lieber internationale oder deutsche Küche?
  • Lieber chinesisch oder japanisch.
  • und du kannst dir überlegen, ob du lieber jugoslawisch, französisch, türkisch oder italienisch essen willst.