---
title: "Noun Gender: Semantic and Derivational Rules — German grammar B2"
description: "Determine noun gender from semantic groups, suffixes, and the final element of compounds, while recognising important exceptions."
canonical: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules"
lang: "en"
learning_language: "de"
cefr_level: "B2"
updated: "2026-07-12"
alternates:
  en: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules.md"
  fr: "https://cefra.app/fr/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules.md"
  pl: "https://cefra.app/pl/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules.md"
  ru: "https://cefra.app/ru/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules.md"
---

# Noun Gender: Semantic and Derivational Rules

[Cefra](https://cefra.app/en.md) › [German](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de.md) › [Grammar](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar.md) › [B2](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2.md) › Noun Gender: Semantic and Derivational Rules

Determine noun gender from semantic groups, suffixes, and the final element of compounds, while recognising important exceptions.

Last updated: July 12, 2026

## Rule-to-example map

| Rule                                                  | German example                                    |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| male person                                           | der Lehrer                                        |
| suffix -ung/-heit/-keit                               | die Entscheidung / die Freiheit / die Möglichkeit |
| suffix -chen/-lein                                    | das Mädchen / das Häuschen                        |
| nominalised infinitive                                | das Lesen                                         |
| suffix -ismus/-ist                                    | der Realismus / der Journalist                    |
| suffix -ion/-tät/-ik                                  | die Diskussion / die Universität / die Musik      |
| suffix -ment/-um                                      | das Argument / das Museum                         |
| many weekdays, months, seasons, and weather phenomena | der Montag / der Regen                            |
| exception                                             | das Bier, aber der Wein                           |
| compound inherits final element                       | die Sprachschule, aber der Sprachkurs             |
| abbreviation inherits full form                       | die Info = die Information                        |

## Exercises

[Start practice](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/b2/german-noun-gender-derivational-and-semantic-rules/practice)

1. Type the correct article. Infer gender from word formation or meaning. (10 tasks)
2. Choose the correct version; the correct option is not always in the same position. (10 tasks)