German

hoch: the 53th-Most Reused Word in German

hoch: Das 53.-häufigste Wort im Deutschen

October 21, 2026

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hoch ("high, tall", A2) is the 53th-most reused word-building block in this dictionary's compounds, appearing in 13 different words.

85% nouns

Of the 13 compounds built on hoch, 85% are nouns.

CEFR levels

  • A2 (2 entries): Hochhaus (high-rise), Hochzeit (wedding).
  • B1 (3 entries): Hochbett (loft bed), Hochwasser (flood, high water), hochziehen (to pull up, to hoist).
  • B2 (6 entries): Bluthochdruck (hypertension), Hochdruck (high pressure), Hochebene (plateau), Hochschule (university, college), Hochsommer (midsummer), Hochspannung (high voltage).
  • C1 (2 entries): Hochachtung (high esteem, deep respect), hochgewachsen (tall, lofty).

Grouping by meaning, not just difficulty

Looking at the same 13 compounds by what KIND of thing each one names, rather than how hard it is, splits them into 4 groups:

  1. Literally tall or elevated6
  2. A technical "high" measurement3
  3. Figurative -- an abstract intensity or peak2
  4. Not really about height2
  • Literally tall or elevated (6): Hochbett, Hochebene, hochgewachsen, Hochhaus, hochziehen, Hochwasser.
  • A technical "high" measurement (3): Bluthochdruck, Hochdruck, Hochspannung.
  • Figurative -- an abstract intensity or peak (2): Hochachtung, Hochsommer.
  • Not really about height (2): Hochschule, Hochzeit.

Hochschule (university) and Hochzeit (wedding) are both built on hoch but have nothing to do with physical height -- an academic "high" level and an old word for a celebration, not a tall building.

Test yourself: grouping by meaning

Which group does each word belong to?

1 Where does Hochbett belong?

2 Where does Hochebene belong?

3 Where does hochgewachsen belong?

4 Where does Hochhaus belong?

5 Where does hochziehen belong?

6 Where does Hochwasser belong?

7 Where does Bluthochdruck belong?

8 Where does Hochdruck belong?

9 Where does Hochspannung belong?

10 Where does Hochachtung belong?

11 Where does Hochsommer belong?

12 Where does Hochschule belong?

13 Where does Hochzeit belong?

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