The N-Rule Inside Compounds

Level 4

When the first part of a compound ends in -en, the n-rule looks at the next part: Zoppeläffel (n drops before l), but Zoppenteller (n stays before t).

How It Works

1. The n drops
Before most consonants, the linking -en- or a first part in -en loses its n:

  • Zopp + Läffel → Zoppeläffel (ladle)
  • Bier (pear) + Bam → Bierebam (pear tree)
  • Sonn + Brëll → Sonnebrëll (sunglasses)
  • Blumm + Buttek → Blummebuttek (flower shop)

2. The n stays
Before a vowel and before d, h, n, t and z, the n is kept:

  • Zoppenteller (soup plate), Sonnenhutt (sun hat)
  • Wochendag (weekday), Afennoss (peanut), Kréiena (corn on the foot)

So the same first part can appear with or without n: Zoppeläffel and Zoppenteller, Sonnebrëll and Sonnenhutt.

3. Before -schaft
The suffix -schaft is an exception: the n always stays, even before sch: Eegenschaft (quality), Wëssenschaft (science), Machenschaft (scheme).

4. Fixed forms without n
Some compounds exist only without n, even though the simple noun may keep it: Wäiglas, Wäifläsch (from Wäin), Reemantel (raincoat, from Reen).

5. Hyphens
Before a hyphen the n-rule looks at the word after it: Orangen- an Äppeljus (n stays before the vowel of an).

Examples (6)

  1. Gëff mir wannechgelift den Zoppeläffel.

    Please pass me the ladle.

    The n drops before L.

  2. Beim Spullen hunn ech en Zoppenteller gebrach.

    I broke a soup plate while washing up.

    The n stays before t.

  3. Mir hunn zwee Bierebeem am Gaart.

    We have two pear trees in the garden.

    Bieren loses its n before B.

  4. Ech brauch e Sonnenhutt an e Sonnebrëll.

    I need a sun hat and sunglasses.

    The n stays before h but drops before B.

  5. Chrëschtdag fält dëst Joer op e Wochendag.

    Christmas falls on a weekday this year.

    The n stays before d.

  6. D'Astronomie ass d'Wëssenschaft vum Universum.

    Astronomy is the science of the universe.

    Before -schaft the n always stays.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the n before a consonant that drops it.

    Gëff mir den Zoppenläffel.
    Gëff mir den Zoppeläffel.

    Inside the compound the n-rule applies: before L the n drops.

  • Dropping the n before -schaft.

    Gedold ass eng gutt Eegeschaft.
    Gedold ass eng gutt Eegenschaft.

    Before the suffix -schaft the n always stays.

  • Dropping the n before d.

    Chrëschtdag fält op e Wochedag.
    Chrëschtdag fält op e Wochendag.

    Before d, h, n, t and z the n stays, inside a compound too.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

The N-Rule Inside CompoundsLevel 4

Learn This First

Before The N-Rule Inside Compounds, learn Nouns and Adjectives That Keep Their N and Compound Nouns.