Hyponymy (Stein)

Activity 1

Look at these three nouns.

What is the relationship between them? Can they be arranged into a logical order? 

• Dog
• Poodle
• Animal

We can label nouns as general or specific. The specific noun is included in the general noun.

• The word animal is general while the word dog is more specific
• The word dog itself is more general than breeds of dog such as poodle or spaniel.

Can you think of more examples of this relationship between words?

We call this kind of relationship between words hyponymy.

• The general word is known as the superordinate term or hypernym. 
• The specific word is known as the subordinate term or hyponym. 

Let's try some activities to show you understand this idea. 

Activity 2

Supply the superordinate (general) term for the list of six nouns:

For example: A dog is an animal

1. A cherry is a Answer 1fruit
2. A daffodil is a Answer 2flower
3. A hammer is a Answer 3tool
4. A carrot is a Answer 4vegetable
5. A castle is a Answer 5building
6. A car is a Answer 6vehicle

In the next activity, match the appropriate superordinate (general) with subordinate (specific) terms.

• Place the cards side-by-side to connect them and double-click to break apart. 
• Make sure to put the subordinate word first, followed by the superordinate. For example: A car is a vehicle.

Activity 3

What do the words flower and tree have in common?

They are both subordinate to the word plant. They also each have their own subordinate words. We can show this relationship in a diagram called a hierarchy:

In the next slide, you will see a new set of words arranged at random. Copy them and re-arrange them into a hierarchy with the superordinate words at the top and the subordinate words at the bottom.

There should be three levels: one word at the top, two words in the middle, and six at the lowest.

Activity 4

Sometimes the pattern of hyponymy is obvious from the word formation. 

Let's take the word knife for example.

How many subordinate words can you think of which use the word knife?

How many did you think of? Here are three examples:

• carving knife
• pocket knife
• steak knife
• table knife

How many can you think of for the word spoon?

How many did you think of? Here are four examples:

• soup spoon
• desert spoon
• teaspoon

Can you think of any others?

Choose one of these words, and write your own hierachy. Include at least two superordinate words, and three subordinates words for each. 

• Animals
• Food
• Buildings
• Vehicles

Compare your hierarchy with a partner's. Does it make sense? Are there any words that use the same word formation?

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