In contrast to foreign combining forms, native combining forms are usually treated as elements on the margin of German word formation. At the same time the question is under discussion, how the notion of combining form has to be defined. Based on a semantically oriented notion, as presented in reference books, and using a large sample of items, it is argued that elements like SCHWIEGER(vater), STIEF- (kind), (Vogel)KUNDE, (Hallen)WART are just the often mentioned examples of a category with a broad range of elements and with communicative relevance. Native combining forms are not only remains of former language periods, but are permanently produced by language users in order to meet their communicative needs.