Vocabulary: Word Formation & Morphology (Introduction) (A2) - Lesson 4: Common Compound Nouns

Lesson 4: Common Compound Nouns

Combining Two Words into One

Sometimes in English, we can take two separate words and push them together to make a new word with a new meaning. This is called a "compound noun". It's like a simple math formula: Word 1 + Word 2 = New Word! This is a very common way to create new nouns in English.

Word Bank: Building New Words

A compound noun is usually made of two nouns. The first noun often describes the second noun.

• Compound Noun (noun phrase) | នាមសមាស ឬនាមផ្សំ
  A noun that is made with two or more words.
• sunglasses (sun + glasses)
  Glasses to protect from the sun.
  Example: "It's sunny, so I need my sunglasses."
• bedroom (bed + room)
  A room with a bed for sleeping.
  Example: "My bedroom is small but comfortable."
• toothbrush (tooth + brush)
  A brush for cleaning your teeth.
  Example: "Don't forget to use your toothbrush."
• bus stop (bus + stop)
  A place where you wait for a bus.
  Example: "The bus stop is in front of the market."
• football (foot + ball)
  A game played by kicking a ball with your feet.
  Example: "The boys are playing football."

Usage Note: Three Written Forms

Compound nouns can be written in three ways. Don't worry about the rules for now, just notice the different styles.

• 1. Closed (One Word): bedroom, toothbrush, football
• 2. Open (Two Words): bus stop, post office, tour guide
• 3. Hyphenated (with a '-'): mother-in-law (This is more advanced, but good to see!)

In Conversation

Bora is helping Srey look for her things.

Bora: Srey, what are you looking for?

Srey: I can't find my sunglasses. I thought I left them in my bedroom.

Bora: Are they in the bathroom? Maybe they are next to your toothbrush.

Srey: No, not there. I need to leave soon to go to the bus stop.

Bora: What about your bag? Is your bag for your football practice here?

Srey: Oh! Yes! Here they are, inside my bag. Thank you, Bora!

Check Your Understanding

1. A room where you sleep in a bed is called a ______.
   • a) roombed
   • b) bedroom
   • c) sleeproom
   Answer: b) bedroom

2. Which of these is a compound noun?
   • a) beautiful house
   • b) bus stop
   • c) big car
   Answer: b) bus stop

3. What is a toothbrush used for?
   • a) Brushing your hair
   • b) Brushing your teeth
   • c) Brushing your shoes
   Answer: b) Brushing your teeth

Your Mission

1. My Compounds: Look around your house. Find two compound nouns. (e.g., `living room`, `doorbell`). Write them down.
2. Create a Compound: Try to make a new (or real) compound noun. (e.g., `water` + `bottle` = `water bottle`). Write a sentence with it.
3. Speak: Your mission is to use two compound nouns from this lesson in a conversation today. (e.g., "I am going to the bus stop." or "Where is my toothbrush?")