Noun-Verb Collocations in German

Overview

Noun-verb collocations (Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen) are fixed combinations where a specific noun pairs with a specific verb to express a single concept. Unlike function verb structures, which use prepositional phrases, these collocations typically involve a direct object noun: einen Beschluss fassen (to make a decision/resolution), Kritik üben (to criticize), einen Antrag stellen (to submit an application).

At the C1 level, knowing these collocations is essential because they are the building blocks of formal and professional German. A native speaker does not simply "criticize" — they üben Kritik. They do not "apply" — they stellen einen Antrag. These combinations are not interchangeable: you cannot say Kritik machen or einen Beschluss treffen (well, actually, treffen works with Entscheidung but not typically with Beschluss). The verb must match the noun.

These collocations occupy the space between free word combinations and completely frozen idioms. They are predictable enough to learn systematically but varied enough to require dedicated study. Mastering them elevates your German from grammatically correct to idiomatically natural.

How It Works

Common noun-verb collocations by verb

fassen (to grasp/make)

Collocation	Meaning
einen Beschluss fassen	to make a resolution
einen Entschluss fassen	to make a decision/resolve
Vertrauen fassen	to gain trust
Mut fassen	to gather courage

treffen (to meet/make)

Collocation	Meaning
eine Entscheidung treffen	to make a decision
eine Vereinbarung treffen	to reach an agreement
Maßnahmen treffen	to take measures
Vorbereitungen treffen	to make preparations

stellen (to place/put)

Collocation	Meaning
einen Antrag stellen	to submit an application
eine Frage stellen	to ask a question
eine Bedingung stellen	to set a condition
eine Diagnose stellen	to make a diagnosis

üben (to practice/exercise)

Collocation	Meaning
Kritik üben	to criticize
Einfluss üben	to exert influence
Geduld üben	to exercise patience
Nachsicht üben	to show leniency

leisten (to accomplish/provide)

Collocation	Meaning
Hilfe leisten	to provide help
Widerstand leisten	to put up resistance
einen Beitrag leisten	to make a contribution
Ersatz leisten	to provide compensation

Conjugation

The verb conjugates normally; the noun stays in its fixed case:

Tense	Example
Present	Er übt Kritik an dem Plan.
Perfekt	Er hat Kritik an dem Plan geübt.
Passive	Kritik wurde an dem Plan geübt.

Examples in Context

German	English	Note
Wir haben einen Beschluss gefasst.	We made a resolution.	Formal meeting context
Er übte Kritik an dem Plan.	He criticized the plan.	Formal register
Sie hat einen Antrag gestellt.	She submitted an application.	Administrative context
Die Regierung trifft Maßnahmen.	The government is taking measures.	Political news
Er hat großen Einfluss auf die Firma ausgeübt.	He exerted great influence on the company.	Business context
Wir müssen Vorbereitungen treffen.	We need to make preparations.	Planning context
Die Ärzte haben eine Diagnose gestellt.	The doctors made a diagnosis.	Medical context
Sie fasste den Entschluss, umzuziehen.	She resolved to move.	Personal decision
Die Helfer leisteten sofort Hilfe.	The helpers provided immediate assistance.	Emergency reporting
Man sollte Geduld üben.	One should be patient.	Advice
Er hat einen wichtigen Beitrag geleistet.	He made an important contribution.	Recognition

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong verb with a noun

• Wrong: Einen Antrag machen.
• Right: Einen Antrag stellen.
• Why: Each noun has a specific verb partner. Machen is too generic for formal collocations. You must learn which verb goes with which noun.

Confusing similar collocations

• Wrong: Einen Beschluss treffen. (not standard)
• Right: Einen Beschluss fassen. OR Eine Entscheidung treffen.
• Why: Fassen goes with Beschluss/Entschluss; treffen goes with Entscheidung/Vereinbarung. The nouns look similar but pair differently.

Dropping the article or using the wrong case

• Wrong: Sie stellte Antrag.
• Right: Sie stellte einen Antrag.
• Why: Most collocations require the noun with its proper article and case. The article is part of the fixed expression.

Translating literally from English

• Wrong: Kritik geben (literally "give criticism")
• Right: Kritik üben
• Why: German collocations do not follow English patterns. The verb partner must be learned specifically for German.

Usage Notes

Noun-verb collocations are a hallmark of formal written German. They predominate in newspapers (Maßnahmen treffen, Kritik üben), official communications (einen Antrag stellen, einen Beschluss fassen), academic writing (einen Beitrag leisten, Einfluss ausüben), and professional correspondence.

In casual spoken German, speakers often prefer simpler alternatives: entscheiden instead of eine Entscheidung treffen, kritisieren instead of Kritik üben, fragen instead of eine Frage stellen. Knowing both the collocation and its simple verb equivalent is important for register flexibility.

Some collocations have become so common that they no longer feel particularly formal: eine Frage stellen (to ask a question) is used in all registers, including casual speech. Others, like Nachsicht üben (to show leniency), remain firmly in the formal domain.

The distinction between noun-verb collocations and function verb structures (Funktionsverbgefüge) is sometimes blurry. FVG typically use prepositional phrases (in Betracht ziehen), while collocations use direct objects (einen Beschluss fassen). In practice, both types are learned and used similarly.

For C1 exams and professional German, a working knowledge of roughly 50-100 common noun-verb collocations is expected. Focus on the most productive verbs (treffen, stellen, leisten, üben, fassen) and build outward from there.

Practice Tips

1. Create flashcards with the noun on one side and the correct verb on the other. Test yourself regularly — the challenge is remembering which verb goes with which noun, not understanding the meaning.
2. When reading formal German texts, highlight noun-verb collocations and note the simple verb equivalent beside them. Over time, you will build a robust inventory of pairs.
3. Write a formal email or report on a current topic using at least eight different noun-verb collocations. Then rewrite the same text informally, replacing each collocation with its simple verb. This trains your register awareness.

Related Concepts

• Function Verb Structures — the closely related category using prepositional phrases