Suffix: leer

German Suffix: -leer

A Common German Adjective Suffix

The suffix -leer is a descriptive suffix in the German language, primarily used to form adjectives. It conveys the meaning of being “empty” or “devoid of” something, similar to the English suffix -less in certain contexts.

Usage and Formation

Adjectives:

The suffix -leer is used to create adjectives from nouns, indicating that something is empty or devoid of the noun’s quality or substance. For example:

kraftleer (powerless) from die Kraft (strength)
inhaltsleer (contentless) from der Inhalt (content)
bedeutungsleer (meaningless) from die Bedeutung (meaning)

Descriptive Contexts:

It is often used in contexts related to descriptions of states, conditions, or qualities that are lacking or empty:

gefühlsleer (emotionless) from das Gefühl (feeling)
wertleer (valueless) from der Wert (value)
sinnleer (senseless) from der Sinn (sense)

Grammatical Considerations

When forming adjectives with -leer, the resulting word typically follows standard German adjective declension patterns. This means that the adjective will change its ending based on the gender, case, and number of the noun it modifies.

Examples in Sentences

Ein kraftleerer Körper (A powerless body)
Eine inhaltsleere Rede (A contentless speech)
Ein bedeutungsleerer Satz (A meaningless sentence)

Related Suffixes

The suffix -leer is related to other German suffixes that form adjectives, such as -los (e.g., hilflos – helpless) and -frei (e.g., zuckerfrei – sugar-free). Each suffix has its nuances and specific contexts where it is more appropriate.

Conclusion

The suffix -leer is an important part of the German language, allowing the formation of descriptive adjectives that convey emptiness or a lack of certain qualities or substances. Its usage spans descriptive, qualitative, and emotional contexts, making it a versatile and essential component of German grammar.

ADJEKTIVE –> SUFFIX