Großschreibung

Großschreibung refers to the practice of capitalizing words in the German language. This is a significant feature of German orthography, differing from languages like English which capitalize fewer word categories. In German, nouns are always capitalized. This includes common nouns like "Tisch" (table), "Haus" (house), and "Idee" (idea), as well as proper nouns. Adjectives derived from proper nouns, when used attributively, are generally not capitalized unless they form part of a proper name or are at the beginning of a sentence. For example, "deutsche Geschichte" (German history) but "Deutscher Bundestag" (German Bundestag).

The beginning of every sentence is always capitalized, regardless of the word's grammatical function. Pronouns like "Ich" (I) are always capitalized. Certain words that function as nouns, even if derived from verbs or adjectives, are also capitalized. This includes infinitives used as nouns, such as "das Laufen" (the running) or "das Gute" (the good). The formal pronoun "Sie" (you) and its related forms are also capitalized when addressing someone respectfully. Understanding these rules is crucial for correct German spelling and grammar. Exceptions and nuances exist, particularly with compound words and specific stylistic choices, but the core principle of capitalizing nouns remains a fundamental aspect of German orthography.