Compound nouns的意思

Compound nouns are words that are made up of two or more words that are joined together to form a single noun with a new meaning. These words can be formed in various ways, including:

  1. Noun + Noun: This type of compound noun combines two nouns to create a new meaning. For example, "school bus" (a bus that transports students to and from school).

  2. Noun + Verb (with -ing): This type of compound noun combines a noun with a verb in its -ing form. For example, "swimming pool" (a pool designed for swimming).

  3. Noun + Adjective: This type of compound noun combines a noun with an adjective that describes the noun. For example, "coffee table" (a low table designed to hold drinks and be used for resting one's feet).

  4. Verb + Noun: This type of compound noun combines a verb with a noun. For example, "dressmaker" (someone who makes dresses).

  5. Adjective + Noun: This type of compound noun combines an adjective with a noun. For example, "greenhouse" (a building where plants are grown in a protected environment).

  6. Verb + Preposition + Noun: This type of compound noun combines a verb with a preposition and a noun. For example, "lookout point" (a place where one can look out over a scenic view).

Compound nouns are common in many languages, including English, and they can be either written as one word, hyphenated, or with a space between the words, depending on the style guide or the preference of the writer. For example:

In some cases, the meaning of the compound noun is clear, while in others, the meaning might not be immediately apparent to someone unfamiliar with the term. Compound nouns can be either concrete (e.g., "school bus") or abstract (e.g., "greenhouse effect").