Breakdown of Ein neuer Kühlschrank ist oft sehr sparsam.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
oft
often
sehr
very
neu
new
der Kühlschrank
the fridge
sparsam
economical
Questions & Answers about Ein neuer Kühlschrank ist oft sehr sparsam.
Why does the adjective neu end in -er here (neuer)?
This is exactly what you are learning right now! Kühlschrank is a masculine noun in the nominative (subject) case. Because the indefinite article ein doesn't have an ending to show it's masculine (it looks exactly the same as the neuter ein), the adjective has to step up and show the gender. So, it takes the strong masculine ending -er.
Why doesn't sparsam get an ending like neuer does?
In German, adjectives only get endings when they are placed directly in front of the noun they describe (like ein neuer Kühlschrank). When an adjective comes after a verb like ist, it stays in its basic dictionary form. You don't need to add any endings to it.
How do you break down the word Kühlschrank?
It is a compound noun made from the stem of the verb kühlen (to cool) and the noun der Schrank (closet or cabinet). So, a fridge in German is literally a cooling cabinet.
Does sparsam always mean economical?
It depends on what you are describing! When talking about a machine or appliance (like a fridge or a car), it means economical or energy-efficient because it saves electricity or fuel. If you use it to describe a person, it means thrifty or frugal (someone who saves their money).
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