Suffixes

Like English, German often employs suffixes to add meaning or to produce other parts of speech. Here is a further discussion of this phenomenon, already introduced with examples derived from the verb "sprechen".



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Using the Suffix "-e" to Derive Feminine Nouns from Verbs:

Certain verbs add "-e" to the present or past verb stem (with or without an umlaut) to create a feminine noun. The plural is "-n".

Verb	Noun	Plural	Meaning
ehren	die Ehre	die Ehren	honor
haben	die Habe	die Haben	belongings; chattels
lieben	die Liebe	[no plural]	love
waschen	die Wäsche	[no plural]	laundry; linens
lügen	die Lüge	die Lügen	lie
nehmen	die Einnahme	die Einnahmen	revenue
schrauben	die Schraube	die Schrauben	screw
sprechen	die Sprache	die Sprachen	language

Here are some others that are also (mostly) feminine after adding the suffix "-t" or "-st":

ankommen	die Ankunft	die Ankünfte	arrival
dienen	der [!] Dienst	die Dienste	service
fahren	die Fahrt	die Fahrten	drive; trip
können	die Kunst	die Künste	art; craft
laden	die Last	die Lasten	burden
machen [!]	die Macht	die Mächte	power; might
tun	die Tat	die Taten	deed

Using "-e" to Derive Nouns from Adjectives (in addition to Adjectival Nouns )

Most adjectives that take an umlaut in the comparative also form feminine nouns that have umlauts and end in "-e":

Adjective	Noun	Meaning

flach	die Fläche	surface
glatt	die Glätte	smoothness; slickness
groß	die Größe	size; greatness
gut	die Güte	goodness; benevolence
hard	die Härte	hardness
heiß	die Hitze	heat
kalt	die Kälte	cold
kurz	die Kürze	brevity
lang	die Länge	length
nah	die Nähe	vicinity
nass	die Nässe	wetness
rot	die Röte	redness
scharf	die Schärfe	sharpness
stark	die Stärke	strength
warm	die Wärme	warmth

This list also contains some that are ineligible for umlauts:

breit	die Breite	breadth
tief	die Tiefe	depth

The Diminutives "-chen" and "-lein"

A diminutive form of most nouns can be created by adding the suffixes "-chen" and "-lein" and - almost always - umlauting the stem vowel when possible; if the noun ends in "-e", that is dropped ("die Schraube" becomes "das Schräubchen" [small screw]). All such resulting nouns are neuter, with a plural form that is identical with the singular (i.e.: "das Schräubchen, die Schräubchen"). They indicate a smaller (and often younger) version of the original (e.g. a "Hundchen" [no umlaut!] is a puppy - compare English "-kin" [lambkin] or "-ie" [doggie]). In modern German, "-chen" is the more frequent form, while "-lein" is generally confined to diminutives that were established in earlier times. "Sprüchlein" (a small saying) is one such example. It is the more conventional form, although "Sprüchchen" can also be encountered.

Dialects, particularly Southern ones, offer many further possible suffixes, including "-ke", "-le", "-li", "-l", and "-erl". Nicknames frequently receive an "-i" or "-ie" ("Hansi", "Berti", "Angie").



	Take a baggie for my poopie. (Viennese dialect)

Beginning students of German may be tempted to employ the diminutive when unsure of a noun's gender or plural. When forgetting the gender or plural of "der Stuhl; die Stühle," they find certitude in "das Stühlchen". But they need to be aware that diminutives are accompanied by a particular affect. They are often used in saccharine fashion with small children or to convey belittlement:

Was für ein süßes Hütchen hat dein Püppchen!

What a sweet little hat your dolly has!

Der Fußballer hat es nur zu einem harmlosen Schüsschen gebracht.

The soccer-player only managed to come up with a harmless, dinky little shot.

"Früher oder später werden unnützliche Sprächlein und Kultürchen im Sumpf der Realität versinken, und das ist gut so."¹

Sooner or later, useless little languages and cultures will sink into the swamp of reality, and that is all to the good.

At the same time, a number of diminutives have become established in their own right, e.g.:

"das Brötchen" (bread roll), "das Fräulein" (Miss; young unmarried woman); "das Frühchen" (premature baby); "das Grübchen" (dimple); "das Männchen und das Weibchen" (male and female [of a species]); "das Märchen" (fairy tale); "das Schläfchen" (nap); "das Schnäppchen" (a bargain); "das Schnäpschen" (a quick drink); "das Kaninchen" (rabbit [note the lack of umlaut]); and "das Mädchen" (girl).

The Suffixes "-heit" and "-keit":

"-heit" or "-keit" can be added to many adjectives to create nouns (that are always feminine). If the adjective has been derived from another word via a suffix like "-lich", "-bar", or "-sam", the suffix of choice is generally "-keit":

"die Brüderlichkeit" (brotherliness); "die Ehrlichkeit" (honesty); "die Eigenheit" (peculiarity; quirk); "die Eitelkeit" (vanity); "die Freundlichkeit" (friendliness); "die Gläubigkeit" (devoutness); "die Heiligkeit" (sacredness; saintliness); "die Heiterkeit" (cheerfulness); "die Langsamkeit" (slowness); "die Lesbarkeit" (legibility; readability); "die Lösbarkeit" (solubility); "die Richtigkeit" (correctness).

"die Bescheidenheit" (humility; modesty); "die Feigheit" (cowardice); "die Freiheit" (freedom); "die Gleichheit" (equality); "die Klarheit" (clarity); "die Schüchternheit" (bashfulness; timidity); "die Sicherheit" (certitude; safety)

"-heit" can also be added to certain nouns: "die Christenheit" (the Christian world)

The Suffix "-ie":

"-ie", cognate with English "-y", tends to be attached to foreign words to form scientific terms or to designate groups or states of being:

"die Anarchie" (anarchy); "die Biologie" (biology"; "die Bourgeoisie" (bourgeoisie); "die Chemie (chemistry); "die Pedanterie" (pedantry); "die Philosophie" (philosophy"); "die Psychologie" (psychology); "die Theorie" (theory).

The Suffix "-ik":

"-ik", cognate with English "-ics", tends to be attached to foreign words to form scientific terms or words for methodologies:

"die Akrobatik" (acrobatics); "die Logik" (logic); "die Logistik" (logistics"; "die Mathematik" (mathematics); die Musik (music); "die Physik (physics); "die Romantik" (romanticism").

The Suffix "-ismus":

"-ismus", like the English "-ism", denotes an action or its result; a system or ideological movement; a peculiarity in language; or a pathological condition. The resulting noun is masculine, and its plural is "-ismen":

"der Alkoholismus" (alcoholism); "der Antisemitismus" (anti-Semitism); "der Kubismus" (cubism); "der Faschimus" (fascism); "der Kapitalismus" (capitalism); "der Kommunismus" (communism); "der Naturalismus" (naturalism); "der Tourismus" (tourism).

The Suffix "-ist":

The suffix indicating the male practitioner of an "-ismus" is normally "-ist" (plural: "-isten"), the female "-istin" (plural: "-istinnen"):

"der/die Faschist/in" fascist; "der/die Kapitalist/in" (capitalist); "der/die Kommunist/in" (communist); "der/die Tourist/in" (tourist);
but: "der/die Alkoholiker/in" (alcoholic); "der/die Antisemit/in" (anti-Semite).

"-ist" also often denotes the doer of a verb that ends in "-ieren" or the member of a group whose designation is obviously a foreign word:

"der/die Avantgardist/in" (avant-gardist); "der/die Komponist/in" (composer); "der/die Prokurist/in" (authorized officer [of a company]); "der/die Polizist/in" (police officer).

The Suffix "-nis":

"-nis", cognate with the English "-ness", can be affixed to most parts of speech, creating nouns that can denote an act, an activity, a condition, a function, an active force, or something that results from these. It is almost always neuter and has the plural form "-nisse":

"das Ärgernis" (annoyance; offense); "die Bedürfnis" (need); "das Begräbnis" (burial); "die [!] Besorgnis" (anxiety; apprehension); "das Ereignis" (event; occurrence); "das Erzeugnis" (product); "die [!] Finsternis" (darkness; gloom); "das Gedächtnis" (memory); "das Gefängnis" (prison); "das Geheimnis" (secret); "das Geständnis" (confession); "das Hindernis" (barrier; hindrance); "das Verhängnis" (fate; doom); "das Verständnis" (understanding; comprehension); "das Verzeichnis" (catalogue; list); "die [!] Wildnis" (wilderness).

The Suffixes "-ologie" and "kunde":

"-ologie" and "-kunde" denote the study of something:

"die Astrologie" (astrology); "die Biologie" (biology); "die Erdkunde" (geography); "die Heilkunde" (alternative medicine); "die Ökologie" (ecology); "die Theologie" (theologie).

The Suffix "-tät" (or "-ität"):

"-tät" and "-ität" are cognate with the English "-ty" and "-ity". They are normally attached to adjectives with foreign origin to form feminine nouns (with an "-en" plural):

"die Agressivität" (aggressiveness); "die Aktivität" (activity); "die Brutalitäat" (brutality); "die Nationalität" (nationality); "die Objektivität" (objectivity); "die Qualität" (quality); "die Solidarität" (solidarity); "die Subjektivität" (subjectivity).

General Use of the Suffix "-ung":

The suffix "-ung" is frequently used to create a noun (always feminine) by attaching it to a verb stem. The effect is similar to the English gerund created with "-ing" or the noun formed with the suffix "-tion".



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The resulting noun can dennote an activity, an instance of that activity, a state of being or a thing that is brought about by that activity, or an entity within which that activity takes place:

Verb	Noun	Meaning
aufregen	die Aufregung	excitement
befreien	die Befreiung	liberation
begegnen	die Begegnung	encounter
behandeln	die Behandlung	treatment
entdecken	die Entdeckung	discovery
erfahren	die Erfahrung	experience
erziehen	die Erziehung	education
kleiden	die Kleidung	clothing
öffnen	die Öffnung	opening



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ordnen	die Ordnung	order
regieren	die Regierung	government
revidieren	die Revidierung	revision
straffen	die Straffung	tightening
verdauen	die Verdauung	digestion
verfälschen	die Verfälschung	counterfeiting/counterfeit
verfremden	die Verfremdung	alienation
verwerten	die Verwertung	reclamation; recycling
wohnen	die Wohnung	dwelling, apartment
bilden	die Wortbildung	word-formation



	Recycling of raw materials

Note that the noun "der Sprung" (leap is not created with the suffix "-ung". Rather it belongs to the category of nouns that have been formed from the preterite of strong verbs, ("springen, sprang, gesprungen").

Other Nouns Created from Verbs with Suffixes:

The Suffixes "-er" and "-erin":

As noted in the example of "sprechen", adding an "-er" or an "-erin" to a verb's stem denotes a male or female who performs the action (speaker): "der Sprecher / die Sprecherin." The plural of these "-er" nouns is the same as the singular, e.g. "die Sprecher". The plural of the feminine form is of course "-erinnen": "die Sprecherinnen." Some of the many examples:

"der/die Arbeiter/in" (worker); "der/die Besitzer/in" (owner; "der/die Fahrer/in" (driver; "der/die Heuchler/in" (hypocrite); "der/die Leser/in" (reader; "der/die Maler/in" (painter; "der/die Richter/in" (judge; "der/die Schneider/in" (taylor; "der/die Sieger/in" (victor); "der/die Spieler" (player; gambler); "der/die Trainer/in" (coach; "der/die Trinker/in (drinker).

While this category of "-er" (or "-erin") nouns ordinarily derives from a verb, there are exceptions, e.g.:

"der/die Botschafter/in" (ambassador); "der Eisenbahner" (railwayman), "der/die Schüler/in" (pupil; schoolboy/schoolgirl).

Of course, such designations can derive from compounded words:

"der/die Angeber/in" (blowhard; show-off); "der/die Arbeitgeber/in" (employer; "der/die Korinthenkacker/in" (nit-picker); "der/die Lastkraftwagenfahrer/in" (truckdriver); "der/die Nichtstuer/in" (do-nothing); "der/die Tennisspieler/in" (tennis player); "der/die Weltverbesser/in" (do-gooder); "der/die Wichtigtuer/in" (pompous ass).

"-er" (or "-erin") nouns that are derived from verbs can often take an umlaut:

"der/die Bäcker/in" (baker); "der/die Gärtner/in (gardener); "der/die Färber/in" (dyer); "der/die Läufer/in" (runner); "der/die Sänger/in" (singer); "der/die Schriftsteller/in" (writer); "der/die Tänzer/in" (dancer); "der/die Überläufer/in" (defector); "der/die Verkäufer/in" (salesman/saleslady); "der/die Verräter/in" (traitor)

Sometimes the suffix "-er" denotes a noun that is the result of the action:

"der Abstecher" (side-trip); "der Fehler" (error); "der Seufzer" (sigh); "der Schnitzer" (blunder; howler); "der Treffer" (strike, hit, success [something that hits the mark])

Nouns formed with "-er" or "-erin" can also indicate someone's city or, in many cases, country of origin:

"der/die Berliner/in"; "der/die Münchner/in"; "der/die New Yorker/in"; "der/die Kanadier/in"; "der/die Engländer/in"; "der/die Norweger/in"; "der/die Österreicher/in"; "der/die Schweizer/in".

A number of nationalities can also be created with "-e" or "-in". The masculine form of these nouns is "weak" (i.e. it takes a "-n" in all cases but the nominative)

"der Franzose/die Französin"; "der Schwede/die Schwedin"; "der Türke/die Türkin".

"-er" can also indicate an inanimate instrument:

"der Bagger" (power shovel); "der Fernseher" (television set); "der Fernsprecher" (telephone); "der Kopierer" (copier); "der Kugelschreiber" (ballpoint pen); "der Lautsprecher" (loudspeaker); "der Lichtschalter" (light switch); "der Rasenmäher" (lawn-mower; "der Scheibenwischer" (windshield-wiper); "der Schläger" (racquet; bat; club); "der Schraubenzieher" (screwdriver; "der Staubsauger" (vacuum-cleaner); "der Wecker" (alarm-clock); "der Zahnstocher" (toothpick).

An alternative suffix for denoting an instrument is "-el": "der Deckel" (lid); "der Gürtel" (belt); "der Hebel" (lever; crank).

"-er" can produce a shortened name of certain instruments:

"der Aschenbecher" (ashtray) becomes "der Ascher"; "der Lastkraftwagen" (truck, lorry) - "der Laster"; "das Frachtschiff" (freighter) - "der Frachter"; "der Fußballspieler" soccer player - "der Fußballer".

"-erei" is often an extension of an occupational designation formed by "-er" (or "-or"):

"die Bäckerei" (bakery); "die Brauerei" (brewery); "die Färberei (dye works); "die Gärtnerei (botanical nursery); "die Gerberei" (tannery); "die Konditorei" (confectionery; pastry shop); "die Metzgerei" (butcher shop).

But "-erei" can also designate a negative situation or activity:

"die Barbarei" (barbarism); "die Heuchelei" (hypocrisy); "die Schlägerei" (brawl); "die Schweinerei" (mess; swinishness)

"-erei" can also be appended to most verbs to denote an activity taken to extremes, e.g. "die Fahrerei" (a tedious amount of driving).

Note also: "die Datei" (data file); "die Kartei" (card file).

Further examples of suffixes that create nouns denoting people ("-ant"; "-antin"; "-är"; "-ärin"; "-ent"; "-entin"; "-eur"; "-eurin"; "-euse"; "-ling"; "-öse"; "-or"; "-orin"):

"-ant" and "-antin" or "-ent" and "-entin" tend to be attached to verbs that end in "-ieren":

absolvieren	der/die Absolvent/in	alumnus/alumna; graduate
assistieren	der/die Assistent/in	assistant
demonstrieren	der/die Demonstrant/in	demonstrator; protester
dozieren	der/die Dozent/in	university lecturer
konkurrieren	der/die Konkurrent/in	competitor; rival
liefern [!]	der/die Lieferant/in	delivery person
spekulieren	der/die Spekulant/in	delivery person
studieren	der/die Student/in	student



	Deliverymen, please turn off your engines!

Other such suffixes include "-ator" (-atorin); "-är" ("-ärin"), "-eur" ("-eurin" or "-euse" or "-öse"), "-or" (and, where appropriate "-orin):

"der/die Diktator/in" (dictator)

"der/die Sekretär/in" (secretary); "der/die Volontär/in" (intern)

"der Frisör / die Friseuse [or: Frisöse]" (barber; hairdresser);

"der/die Ingenieur/in" (engineer);

"der/die Regisseur/in" ([film or theater] director);

"der/die Direktor/in" (director [business or other organization]); "der/die Lektor/in" (editor);

"der Traktor" (tractor); "der Ventilator" (fan)



	Berlin Memorial Plaque Here lived from 1931 to 1933 and from 1945 to 1946 Ernst Busch Actor and director, singer of political songs ("Barricades-Tauber"). Emigrated 1933. From 1943 to 1945 imprisoned by the Gestapo. Member of the Berliner Ensemble from 1950. [In reference to Richard Tauber, a famous opera singer in the 1920s, and to Busch's political engagement, he was called "the Tauber of the barricades"]

Yet another suffix for persons: "-ling" (plus an umlaut). It always masculine, even when a female is meant. The plural is "-e". Often - but not always - the person is in some way vulnerable; sometimes the term is meant disparagingly:

"der Ankömmling" (newcomer); der Emporkömmling (parvenue); "der Flüchtling" (refugee; fugitive); "der Fremdling" (stranger); "der Günstling" (minion); "der Häftling" (prisoner); "der Häuptling" (chieftain); "der Lehrling" (apprentice); "der Säugling" (nursling; infant); "der Schwächling" (weakling).

The Suffix "-at":

The suffix "-at" can be added to foreign words to create (usually) neuter nouns with various meanings. The plural is "-e" (except for "die Akrobaten")

"der [!] Akrobat" (acrobat); "das Antiquariat" (second-hand bookstore); "das Dikat" (dictation; diktat); "das Konsulat" (consulate); "das Proletariat" (proletariat); "das Referat" (seminar paper); "das Telefonat" (telephone call); "das Traktat" (treatise).

The Suffix "-schaft":

The suffix "-schaft" (cognate with the English "-ship") can be added to nouns, adjectives, or verbs to create a feminine noun denoting certain categories of group, state of being, or activity. The plural is always "-schaften."



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Category 1: A group, or things associated with such a group:

"die Beamtenschaft" (civil service); "die Botschaft" (embassy; message); "die Bruderschaft" (fraternity); "die Bürgerschaft" (citizenry; citizenship); "die Gegnerschaft" (opponents; emnity); "die Gesandtschaft" (the duties and/or the residence and office of an ambassador); "die Hinterlassenschaft" (bequest; legacy); "die Ortschaft" (locality; town); "die Studentenschaft" (student body).

Category 2: An organization:

"die Gemeinschaft" (community; association; collective); "die Gesellschaft" (society; [commercial] company); "die Gewerkschaft" (labor union); "die Mannschaft" (team)

Category 3: An activity or something associated with it:

"die Errungenschaft" (acquisition; accomplishment); die Rechenschaft (account; accountability)

Category 4: A state of being or something associated with that state:

"die Bekanntschaft" (acquaintance; acquaintanceship); "die Bereitschaft" (readiness); "die Freundschaft" (friendship); "die Gefangenschaft" (captivity); "die Meisterschaft" (mastery; championship); "die Mitwisserschaft" (cognizance); "die Mutterschaft" (maternity); "die Vaterschaft" (paternity); "die Wirtschaft" (economy; economic system; inn); "die Wissenschaft" (science).

The Suffix "-tum":

The suffix "-tum" (cognate with the English "-dom") can be added to nouns, adjectives, and verbs to denote a condition (or result of that condition), an action, or a collective idea (or result of that idea). With two exceptions, the resulting nouns are always neuter. The plural is "-tümer".

"das Christentum" (Christianity); "das Eigentum" (property; possession"; "der Heldentum" (heroism) "der [!] Irrtum" (state of error; error); "das Judentum" (Jewry; Judaism); "das Königtum" (kingdom); "der [!] Reichtum" (riches); "das Volkstum" (folklore); "das Wachstum" (growth; increase).

The Suffixes "-art" and "-sorte":

Since "die Art" and "die Sorte" exist as nouns in their own right, they can be considered as part of compound nouns, as well as suffixes. "Die Art" (kind; species) can appear in three structures: "diese Art von Vogel," "diese Art Vogel," and "diese Vogelart". Each means "this kind of bird," although "Vogelart" is, of the three, most likely to be translated as "bird-species." Other examples of "-art":

"die Redensart" (saying; idiom; expression; colloquialism); "die Sportart" ([a particular] sport)

"-sorte" (kind; sort) is similar, but it "is limited to two uses. (a) It is applied to things, particularly food, in so far as they are bought and sold. (b) It is a term of contempt applied particularly to persons."²

"die Menschensorte" (type of person); "die Obstsorte" (kind of fruit); "die Weinsorte" (kind of wine).

The Suffixes "-sal" and "-sel":

The suffix "-sal" normally denotes the subject, object, or result of an activity:

"das Labsal" (refreshment); "die Mühsal" (hardship; plight); "das Scheusal" (monster); "das Schicksal" ([imposed] fate); "die Trübsal" (affliction; tribulation)

"-sel" denotes a thing, sometimes with the connotation of insignificance:

"das Mitbringsel" (a small gift [e.g. a hostess gift]; "das Überbleibsel" (remnant; left-over object)
But also: "das Blutgerinnsel" (blood clot); "der Stöpsel" (stopper; cork; bung).

The Suffix "-wesen":

"-wesen" indicates a field of study or a system, an area of intellectual activity:

"das Bildungswesen" (field of education; system of education); "das Gesundheitswesen" (health care); "das Ingenieurwesen" (engineering); "das Rechnungswesen" (accounting).

The Suffix "-zeug":

Since "das Zeug" ("stuff") exists as a noun in its own right, albeit an informal one, it can be considered as part of compound noun, as well as a suffix. In the form of "-zeug" appended to a verb, it indicates an instrument for carrying out that activity:

"das Fahrzeug" (vehicle); "das Flugzeug" (airplane); ; "das Schreibzeug" (writing utensils); "das Spielzeug" (toy); "das Werkzeug" (tool).

Suffixes for the Creation of Adjectives and Adverbs

The Suffix "-artig":

"-artig" can be added to a noun or adjective to indicate manner or resemblance:

"affenartig" (ape-like); "fremdartig" (strange); "großartig" (grand); "turmartig" (tower-like).



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The Suffix "-bar":

"-bar" can be affixed to nouns or verbs to denote "-ability" or a possession of the implied quality:

"bespielbar" (playable); "dankbar" (grateful); "fruchtbar" (fruitful; fertile); "lesbar" (legible); "schiffbar" (navigable); "unsichtbar" (invisible; "sonderbar" (peculiar); "strafbar" (punishable by law); "trinkbar" (potable); "unfehlbar" (infallible)

The Suffix "-en"

Attached to the word for a kind of material, "-en" (or, when the stem is plural and ends in "-r", "-n") can form an adjective indicating that the modified noun is made of that material (or has one or more of its characteristics):

"gläsern" (of glass); "golden" (golden); "hölzern" (wooden); "silbern" (silver); "wächsern" (waxen); "wollen" (woolen).


	Viennese Chic

The Adjectival Suffix "-er"

Attached to the name of a city (or of Switzerland), "-er" creates the adjectival form, which remains capitalized and does not take any further endings:

"die Berliner Opernhäuser" the Berlin opera houses

"der Mainzer Dom" the Mainz Catherdral

"das Münchner Bier" Munich beer

"ein Schweizer Dialekt" a Swiss dialect

"die Weimarer Republik" the Weimar Republic

The Suffix "-erlei":

"-erlei" has the meaning "kind(s) of". It is not inflected:

"allerlei" (all kinds of)

Es gibt allerlei Menschen in der Welt.

There are all kinds of people in the world

"einerlei" (of one kind)

Es ist mir einerlei, ob du mitkommst oder nicht, .

It's all the same to me whether or not you come along .

"beiderlei" (of both)

Kinder beiderlei Geschlechts können mitspielen.

Children of both sexes can join in the game.

"zweierlei" (two kinds of)

Es gibt zweierlei Menschen in der Welt: die, die reich sind, und die, die wünschten, sie wären es.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who are rich, and those who wish they were.

The Suffixes "-fach", "-fältig", "-mal", and "-malig":

"-fach"; "-fältig", "-mal" and "-malig" add the meanings of "-fold" or "times" to numbers. The adjectives "-fach", "-fältig", and "-malig" are inflected; "-mal" is always an adverb:

"einmal" (once); "zweimal" (twice); "vielfältig" (manifold; multifaceted; varied); "zweifach" (two-fold).

Sometimes the word takes on a figurative meaning: "einfach" (single; simple); "einfältig" (simple-minded); "einmalig" (unique).

The Suffix "-haft":

"-haft" can be affixed to a great many adjectives and nouns to indicate having the qualities of the stem word.

"boshaft" (malicious); "dauerhaft" (long-lasting); "ehrenhaft" (honorable); "ekelhaft" (nauseating); "glaubhaft" (credible); "krankhaft" (morbid); "lebhaft" (lively); "schmeichelhaft" (flattering); "schwatzhaft" (chatty; loquacious); "tugendhaft" (virtuous); "wohnhaft" (domiciled)

Note: an older form, "-haftig" (e.g. "leibhaftig" [incarnate]), is much less frequent, but it replaces "-haft" if the adjective is then to become an abstract noun using "-keit": e.g. "die Tugendhaftigkeit" (virtuousness).



	Independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.

The Suffix "-ig":

"-ig" is somewhat similar in function to "-haft":

1) When affixed to a noun (sometimes adding an umlaut), it denotes the presence of that thing or quality:



	Unauthorized parked vehicles will be towed with charges

"fleißig" (industrious); "fettig" (greasy); "freudig" (joyous; glad); "sandig (sandy); "sonnig" (sunny); "traurig" (sad); "unabhängig" (independent); "verdächtig" (suspicious).

"-ig" can also turn a span or unit of time into an adjective:

2) "ein fünfjähriger Junge" (a five-year-old boy); "eine zweitägige Autofahrt" (a two-day drive); "eine mehrwöchige Reise" (a journey of several weeks); "die heutige Jugend" (today's youth).

3) "-ig" also adds the sense of "inclined to":



	Beware of the biting dog.

"bissig" (inclined to bite); "ergiebig" (productive"); "freigiebig" (generous, lavish); "feinfühlig" (sensitive; of delicate feeling); "gefällig" (agreeable; anxious to please); "gläubig" (believing; religious); "hartherzig" (hard-hearted); "schwerhörig" (hard of hearing)

The Suffix "-isch":

"-isch", cognate with English "-ish", has a number of the same functions:

When affixed to a noun (often one that is derived from a verb using "-er"), "-isch" can denote its associated qualities:

"allergisch" (allergic); "demokratisch" (democratic); "dichterisch" (poetic); "erfindersich" (inventive); "fachmännisch" (expert; craftsmanlike); "höllisch" (infernal); "irdisch" (earthly); "kriegerisch" (warlike); "malerisch" (picturesque); "phobisch" (phobic); "tierisch" (animalistic; bestial); "träumerisch" (dreamy); "verschwenderisch" (extravagant; wasteful).

Other kinds of associations with "-isch":

"biologisch" (biological), "historisch" (historical); "hysterisch" (hysterical); "kindisch" (childish - compare "kindlich" [childlike]); "künstlerisch" (artistic];- compare "künstlich" [artificial]); "linkisch" (awkward; bumbling); "regnerisch" (rainy); "städtisch" (municipal); "mürrisch" (crabby); "zänkisch" (quarrelsome).

"-isch" can create the adjectival form of a city, region, country, or people:³

"amerikanisch" (American); "badisch" (from or of Baden); "berlinerisch" (of or from Berlin); "englisch" (English); "französisch" (French); "italienisch" (Italian); "jüdisch" (Jewish); "niederländisch" (Dutch); "norwegisch" (Norwegian); "russisch" (Russian); "spanisch" (Spanish).

The same word can also usually, when appropriate, become a neuter noun that designates the language:

"(das) Englisch" (English; the English language); "(das) Französisch" (French; the French language); "(das) Schwedisch" (Swedish; the Swedish language).

The same word can also usually, when appropriate, become a neuter noun that designates the language:

"(das) Englisch" (English; the English language); "(das) Französisch" (French; the French language); "(das) Schwedisch" (Swedish; the Swedish language).

The Suffix "-iv":

"-iv" is cognate with English "-ive" and forms adjectives or adverbs that need no translation:

"aggressiv", "aktiv", "alternativ", "argumentativ", "attraktiv", "dekorativ", "effektiv", "fiktiv", "impulsiv", "instinctiv", "intensiv", "primitiv", etc.

The Suffix "-lich":

"-lich" is cognate with English "-ly" (e.g. friendly), but it cannot be used to differentiate an adverb from an adjective the way that "-ly" can (e.g. quick - quickly). "-lich" is affixed to nouns, verbs, or adjectives to create an adjective or an adverb indicating qualities implied by the stem.

Often the stem vowel is umlauted:



	Smoking can be deadly.

"ängstlich" (timid; anxious; fearful); "ärmlich" (squalid; impoverished); "brüderlich" (brotherly); "gebräuchlich" (common; customary); "jährlich" (annual); "jämmerlich" (wretched); "käuflich" (purchasable; corrupt); "kränklich" (sickly); "kürzlich" (recently); "männlich" (masculine; manly); "mütterlich" (maternal; motherly); "nebensächlich" (secondary; negligible); "täglich" (daily); "tödlich" (deadly; fatal); "unmissverständlich" (unequivocal); "väterlich" (paternal; fatherly); "verlässlich" (reliable); "völlig" (completely); "zärtlich" (tender).

But often it is not:

"behaglich" (comfortable; cozy); "fraglich" (questionable); "sachlich" (objective; to the point); "sportlich" (athletic; sporty); "sprachlich" (linguistic); "stattlich" (stately; grand); "tauglich" (capable; qualified); "unerforschlich" (inscrutable); "unglaublich" (unbelievable); "verdaulich" (digestible).

Occasionally, "-lich" is extended to "-erlich":

"fürchterlich" (frightful; appalling); "lächerlich" (ridiculous); "leserlich" (readable).

When the stem ends in "-en", a so-called excrescent "-t-" is interjected before the suffix:

"hoffentlich" (hopefully; it is to be hoped); "gelegentlich" (occasional); "tunlich" (feasible); "wissentlich" (knowingly); "wöchentlich" (weekly).

Further examples of "-lich:

"bekanntlich" (as is well known); "bestechlich" (bribable; corruptible); "friedlich" (peaceful); "glücklich" (happy; fortunate); "kindlich" (childlike - compare "kindisch" [childish]); "kleinlich" (petty); "künstlich" (artificial - compare "künstlerisch" [artistic]); "polizeilich" (of or by the police); "schriftlich" (written); "sinnlich" (sensual); "unentbehrlich" (indispensable); "unerklärlich" (inexplicable); "unnachahmlich" (inimitable); "unzertrennlich" (inseparable); "weiblich" (feminine).



	Nothing is impossible.

The Suffixes "-los", "-leer", "-arm", and "-frei":

"-los", "-leer", "-arm", and "-frei" all indicate a lack or scarcity.

"-los" is cognate with the English "-less" and has the same function:

"arbeitslos" (unemployed); "ärmellos" (sleeveless); "bewegungslos" (motionless); "endlos" (never-ending; "gefühllos" (unfeeling); "humorlos" (humorless); "mitleidslos" (unpitying); "regungslos" (motionless; "sprachlos" (speechless); "verantwortungslos" (irresponsible).

"-leer" means empty of, indicating that something used to be there that is now gone:

"luftleer" (void of air); "menschenleer" (empty of people; deserted).

"-arm" means low in:

"fettarm" (low-fat); "kalorienarm" (low in calories).

"-frei" means free of and implies something positive:

"eisfrei" (clear of ice); "sorgenfrei" (carefree).

The Suffixes "-mäßig" and "-gemäß":

"-mäßig" and "-gemäß" establish an abstract connection to the stem word. Modern usage sometimes goes overboard in their application:

"berufsmäßig" (professional; related to the profession)

    Diese Arbeit bringt mit sich wenig berufsmäßige Erfahrung.

    This work provides little professional experience.

"gesetzmäßig" (lawful; legal)

    Sein Prozess war gesetzmäßig verlaufen.

    His trial had proceded legally.

"zahlenmäßig" (in terms of numbers);
"leistungsmäßig" (in terms of accomplishment)

    Nicht zahlenmäßig, aber leistungsmäßig war der Verein gut repräsentiert.

    The club was well-represented in terms of accomplishment, if not in numbers.

"sprachmäßig" (in terms of language)

    Die ausländische Studentin hat es sprachmäßig sehr weit gebracht.

    The foreign student has achieved a lot in terms of language.

"verfassungssmäßig" (constitutional")

    Das Gericht hat noch nicht entschieden, ob dieses Gesetz verfassungssmäßig ist.

    The court hasn't yet decided if this law is constitutional.

"wettergemäß" (weatherwise)

    Wettergemäß ist der Tag schön.

    Weatherwise it's a beautiful day.

The Suffixes "-reich", and "-voll":

"-reich" and "-voll" indicate having a significant amount of something desirable: "kalorienreich" (rich in calories); "segensreich" (beneficial); "traditionsreich" (full of tradition).

The Suffix "-sam":

"-sam", cognate with the English "-some" (e.g. "handsome") denotes an inclination toward the quality implied by the stem:

"biegsam" (flexible); "einsam" (lonely; solitary); "empfindsam" (sensitive; sentimental); "enthaltsam" (abstemious); "erholsam" (restorative); "folgsam" (obedient); "furchtsam" (timid); "gewaltsam" (violent); "langsam" (slow); "mühsam" (laborius; tedious); "ratsam" (advisable); schweigsam (taciturn); "seltsam" (strange; peculiar); "sparsam" (thrifty); "unaufhaltsam" (inexorable); "wirksam" (efficacious).

The Suffixes "-wert" and "-würdig":

"-wert" and "-würdig" denote that something is worth doing:

"fragwürdig" (questionable); "glaubwürdig" (believable); "hörenswert" (worth listen to"); "lesenswert" (worth reading); "liebenswert" (lovable; adorable); "liebenswürdig" (lovable; kind; agreeable); "merkwürdig" (strange); "sehenswert" or "sehenswürdig" (worth seeing); "vertrauenswürdig" (trustworthy); "wissenswert" (worth knowing).