Word formation: diminutives, augmentatives, prefixes, suffixes
-ito, -ón, -azo, -ero, -dad, des-, re-: how Spanish words are built.
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -ito/-ita, -illo | diminutive, affection | casita, momentito, cafecito |
| -ón/-ona | augmentative | casona, cabezón, grandullón |
| -azo | a blow, or «great» | portazo (door slam), codazo · un golazo |
| -ero/-era | job, container | panadero, azucarero |
| -ería | shop | panadería, zapatería |
| -dad, -ez(a) | abstract quality | bondad, vejez, belleza |
| -mente | adverb (= -ly) | rápidamente, claramente |
Prefixes: deshacer (undo), releer (reread), inútil (useless), prevenir, sobrevivir, anteayer (the day before yesterday).
When two -mente adverbs follow each other, only the last takes the suffix: clara y sencillamente = clearly and simply.
- Dame un cafecito, por favor.Could I have a little coffee, please?
- Se oyó un portazo en el piso de arriba.A door slammed in the flat upstairs.
Test yourself
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Diminutive of «perro»?
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perrito -
Shop that sells shoes?
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zapatería -
Adverb from «fácil»?
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fácilmente -
What does «deshacer» mean?
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to undo