particle
special- (prefix), extra-
B1
'sonder-' is a German prefix meaning 'special-' or 'extra-'. It attaches to nouns/adjectives (e.g., Sonderangebot) to indicate exceptionality or an extra item. It’s an inseparable intensifying prefix; written with hyphen in dictionary form. Does not inflect and cannot stand alone; meaning depends on the base word.
Examples
Das Ministerium plante eine 'sonder-'Lösung, die nur in dringenden Fällen angewandt wurde, sodass viele Bürger skeptisch blieben.
The ministry planned a 'special' solution that was applied only in urgent cases, so that many citizens remained skeptical.
Der Bestandteil 'Sonder-' steht in Wörtern wie 'Sonderangebot'.
The element 'Sonder-' appears in words like 'Sonderangebot'.
Wörter mit dem Präfix 'Sonder-' bezeichnen oft etwas Besonderes.
Words with the prefix 'Sonder-' often indicate something special.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine sticking a bright label 'SPECIAL-' onto the front of many words to form new meanings.
Sounds like 'sonder' — think 'special' attached to a word.
Notes
A productive prefix/affix used to form compounds (written with a capital when the compound is a noun). Not a standalone word — it appears attached to other words (often with a hyphen when discussed as the affix).