Wortfeld
word field
Definition & meaning
In linguistics, a Wortfeld (semantic field) refers to a group of words that are related in meaning and belong to the same conceptual category. These words usually belong to the same part of speech and share a common core meaning, but they differ in their specific nuances, intensity, or usage context. By organizing words into a Wortfeld, one can see how different terms "map out" a certain area of reality, such as the various ways to describe "walking" (e.g., strolling, running, marching).
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a neuter compound noun:
The plural form is die Wortfelder. The concept of the "semantic field" was significantly developed in German linguistics during the 1930s by Jost Trier, who argued that words do not exist in isolation but derive their specific meaning from their relationship to other words within the same field.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: Bedeutungsfeld Begriffsfeld Sinnbezirk Sachfeld
Antonyms: While there is no direct linguistic opposite, it can be contrasted with: Einzelwort (a single, isolated word)
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Examples
Hast du die Übung zum Wortfeld Nahrung beendet?noun
Have you finished the exercise on the word field of food?
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