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If you happen to’re searching for a straightforward method to increase your French vocabulary, then studying suffixes needs to be the next move. As with cognates and prefixes, French suffixes have the benefit of being principally already recognized to English audio system. French root phrases have had a deep, lasting impression on the English language, and each languages share frequent influences from Latin and Greek. 

Like English, suffixes inform us what a part of speech one thing is, whether or not it’s a verb like économiser or whether or not it’s the noun type of a verb like économisation. 

Regardless of the similarities, there are after all notable variations in how suffixes are utilized in French. As an example, it is vitally vital to concentrate to the gender of nouns with a view to decide the suitable French suffix. The phrase “Canadian music” in English turns into la musique canadienne in French, with a notable suffix on the finish of canadien to match the female noun, la musique. 

On this article we’ll present an intensive have a look at the variations and similarities between English and French suffixes, in addition to a helpful record of an important ones to know.

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Why French suffixes are so vital

A suffix is an ending hooked up to a phrase that signifies one thing about its that means. As we talked about within the final part, it could inform us what a part of speech one thing is, whether or not it’s an object, an individual of a sure career or nationality, or if it reveals a high quality of some kind. 

Like French prefixes, suffixes are morphemes, which signifies that they’re the smallest doable discount of that means. For instance, within the phrase l’altruisme (altruism), the suffix -isme can’t be damaged down and analyzed any additional.

There are numerous benefits to studying suffixes. They can be utilized to make a verb out of an current noun just like the phrase nativeiser (to localize) or businessiser (to commercialize). In addition they have the benefit of being cognates, or phrases which might be the identical or related in spelling and that means to phrases in one other language. Perhaps you’ve just lately learn concerning the philosophy of l’existentialisme (existentialism) or have heard concerning the numerous types of youth activisme (activism) in France.

Recognizing suffixes not solely boosts your information of French—it could enhance your information of English as nicely! As a result of there’s a lot crossover between the 2 languages, you’ll little doubt choose up a factor or two that you would be able to apply to English dialog. 

>>French prefixes are simply as useful! Right here’s 20 French prefixes it’s best to know. 

How do English and French suffixes evaluate?

Suffixes that share that means

In some instances, French and English suffixes imply the identical factor and are used the identical method. The suffix -able, for instance, signifies the power to do one thing.

C’est vital que l’eau soit potready. – It’s vital that the water be potready.

At different occasions the suffix is just like that of its English translation, corresponding to:  

Vincent Cassel est mon acteur préféré. = Vincent Cassel is my favourite actor.

Within the above instance, the French suffix -eur is analogous sufficient to its English counterpart “-or” to be understood by English audio system (together with the stem “act”).

Making use of grammatical gender guidelines

Grammatical gender is supremely vital in French. It’s one of many greatest differentiators between French and English, and one of many trickiest issues for audio system of non-romance languages to grasp. 

We’ve put collectively a complete information that will help you dive into the main points. Bookmark it for later—you’re going to want it. To grasp suffixes although, you’ll solely must know a small part of guidelines. Under are the fundamentals you should know. 

Within the instance above (Vincent Cassel est mon acteur préféré), we should take note of the gender of the individual. If it have been an actress reasonably than an actor, we’d say:

Juliette Binoche est mon actrice préférée. = Juliette Binoche is my favourite actress.

Nevertheless, French has its personal set of gender suffixes that English doesn’t share. For instance, when describing the nationality of somebody or one thing we should at all times preserve the gender in thoughts. 

J’adore la langue française. = I really like (adore) the French language.

Take the noun une langue (language). As a result of this noun it’s modifying is female, we have to add an -e to the suffix -ais. Whereas within the following instance: 

Le gouvernement français a interdit ce produit. 

The French authorities has forbidden this product.

Right here,”le gouvernement” is a masculine noun and requires the masculine suffix -ais (with no added -e).

There are totally different sorts of suffixes that serve the identical goal—all of it depends upon the foundation phrase, and also you’ll discover that figuring out the proper suffix comes extra naturally the extra you interact with the language. When talking of different nationalities, corresponding to somebody or one thing from Columbia we’d say.

L’actrice dans le movie est colombienne.

The suffix for the nationality of individuals from the nation of la Colombie (Columbia) is -ien with an added -ne for female folks/objects, reasonably than the beforehand talked about -ais.

Suffixes that point out dimension

There’s additionally a category of suffixes that point out one thing that’s small, which doesn’t essentially have an English equal. For instance, when talking of a bit of lady in French, we’d say une fillette. The suffix -ette tells us that the lady is little. Whereas in English we must use the adjective “little” to speak this attribute. 

La fillette a huit ans. = The little lady is eight years previous.

Within the following part, we’ll check out 20 of probably the most helpful suffixes in French that may increase your vocabulary quick. 

>>Wish to take a step again into fundamental French vocabulary? Right here’s 100+ must-know phrases. 

Should-know French suffixes

The next is an inventory of 20 frequent French prefixes together with examples. Please word the female endings in parentheses.

1. –ready

That means: capable of, able to

–ready: This suffix features like its English counterpart “ready” to explain the state of having the ability to do an motion or possess a sure high quality.  

• lovely = lovely
• succesful = succesful
• épouvantable= horrible. (une épouvante = a horror)

2. -ail

That means: used to designate an instrument or object

-ail: This suffix is a basic designation for any form of instrument, device, or different object, corresponding to a scarecrow, a fan, or a rudder. Nevertheless, the exception to that is vitrail, which as a substitute means a stained glass window.

• un éventail = a fan.
• un gouvernail = a rudder
• un vitrail = a stained glass window

3. -ain(e)

That means: designates an individual or object of a nationality, area, continent, or career

–ain(e): The English suffix of “-can” corresponding to “Mexican” or “American” is one equal, although the utilization of that suffix diverts from English in terms of phrases like écrivain = author. Remember that in French, nationalities are solely capitalized once they consult with nouns, not adjectives.

• américain(e) = American
• écrivain(e) = author
• mexicain(e) = Mexican

4. -aire

That means: This suffix signifies one thing which reveals a sure high quality or affiliation. Extra not often, it could present a vacation spot or cause for one thing. It will probably additionally point out a quantity.

–aire: A suffix dense in that means, the assorted makes use of of –aire embody:  

• Exhibiting a sure high quality just like the phrase rectangulaire (rectangular)
• Containing or forming a sure high quality like granulaire (granular)
• An affiliation with one thing corresponding to bancaire (affiliated with banking. E.g. une carte bancaire or “financial institution card”),
• The rationale/goal/finish outcome for which one thing is completed just like the phrase humanitaire (humanitarian)
• Phrases that mark a sure quantity like centenaire (centenary) or the order of significance/chronology of one thing like primaire (first, main). 

Listed below are a number of extra examples:

• triangulaire = triangular
• budgétaire = budgetary
• égalitaire = egalitarian
• un(e) fonctionnaire = a functionary (one who works in administration or civil service)
• populaire = common

5. -ais(e)

That means: Refers to an individual/object of a sure nationality, area, or continent.

-ais(e): This suffix has the identical that means because the earlier suffix, -ain(e). Some root phrases take –aise(e) and a few take -ain(e). There’s no onerous and quick rule for this; you’ll get the grasp of it as you encounter extra vocabulary! 

• français(e) = French
• japonais(e) = Japanese
• polonais(e) = Polish

>>French isn’t all grammar and vocabulary lists! See how these dialects can assist you discover the world. 

6. -ard

That means: exhibiting a sure high quality.

-ard: This suffix signifies an individual exhibiting a sure high quality. In sure situations it may be utilized in a pejorative or derogatory sense, corresponding to within the phrase clochard (pejorative, “homeless individual”).

• connard = an fool
• montagnard = one who lives within the mountains, “mountain dweller”.
• un(e) routard(e) = a “backpacker”, one who travels on la route (the street).

7. -ation

That means: This suffix normally signifies the noun type of an motion, such because the phrase motion itself (motion) or sensation.

–ation: Phrases that use this suffix can typically be turned into a verb just by utilizing a special suffix (corresponding to -iser). 

• la colonisation = colonisation
• la formation = formation
• la libération = libération

8. -eau/elle

That means: little/small

-eau/elle: Each suffixes imply that which is little or small, although the shape one makes use of depends upon the gender of the noun in query. -Eau is the masculine suffix and -elle is female. 

• un baleineau =a whale calf
• une ficelle = a bit of string
• une ruelle = a small street.

9. -er/ier/ière

That means: One who does one thing

-er/ier/ière: These suffixes point out one who participates in a sure motion or career. -Ière is used for female nouns.

• un boulanger = a baker
• un pompier/une pompière = a firefighter
• un sorcier/une sorcière = a sorcerer

10. erie

That means: a spot that sells one thing

–erie: This suffix designates a workplace/commerce the place a particular product is bought.

• une boucherie = a butcher
• une boulangerie = a bakery
• une épicerie = a grocery retailer

11. -eron/eronne; -eur/euse 

That means: One who does one thing

-eron/eronne (masc./fem.); -eur/euse (masc./fem.) – These suffixes point out “one who performs operate X” or “participates in career Y”.

• un/une chanteur/chanteuse= a singer
• un mineur (no female model) = a miner (one who works in underground mines)
• un(e) vigneron/vigneronne = winemaker

12. -et/ette

That means: little/small

-et/ette: This suffix signifies a smaller model of a noun with the identical masculine/female distinction decided by the noun’s gender. -et being masculine and -ette being female.

• une allumette=a match (for fireplace)
• un bâtonnet = a (little) stick
• une miette= a crumb

13. -é

That means: signifies a attribute or one thing that has been acted upon/modified by one thing else, or the previous participle of -er verbs

–é: This suffix can point out a attribute such because the act of being associates l’amitié (friendship), or the standard of getting been modified by one thing such because the phrase fatigué(e) (drained) which signifies somebody who’s overcome or modified by the sentiment of la fatigue (tiredness). Observe how there may be an -e in parentheses to point the female ending when describing female nouns.

• l’amitié (masc.) = friendship.
• accablé= overwhelmed
• parlé(e) =  ”talked”/”spoke”, previous participle of parler (to talk/speak)

14. -ée

That means: This suffix has a number of meanings, like length (changing the Latin suffix “eum”/”-aeum”), speaking the contents of a given noun, a full measure of one thing, or the results of an motion.

–ée: Most phrases ending in ée are female, most notably the class of phrases that signify length corresponding to matinée ( morning)  journée (day) and soirée (night), and in addition these phrases which exemplify the contents of a given noun like une lignée (a line of descent) une allée (a path or aisle). 

Then there are these (additionally female) which signify a full measurement of one thing like bouchée (a mouthful) . 

Lastly, however equally vital, are the few masculine nouns ending in ée  which function the French substitute for Latin phrases ending in -eum/-aeum. These are phrases like un musée (a museum) and un trophée (“tropaeum” in Latin, “a trophy” in English). 

There are a couple of distinctive phrases corresponding to une fée (a fairy) la marée (the tide), une mosquée (a mosque) that don’t comply with any explicit rule, and simply occur to finish in ée. Among the many phrases beneath, the one adopted by an asterisk (*) signifies that it belongs to this latter class.

• une année– a 12 months
• une cuillerée = a spoonful
• une donnée = a given (truth or piece of knowledge).
• une épée* = a sword
• un mausolée = a mausoleum

15. -éen/éenne; -ien/ienne

That means: Refers to an individual/object of a sure nationality, area, or continent

-éen/éenne: This suffix sometimes interprets to the English suffix “-ian” or “-ean”.

• californien(e) = Californian
• européen(ne) = European
• indien(ne) = Indian

16. –isation

That means: the noun type of actions ending within the suffix -iser

-isation: This suffix is identical because the English suffix “-ization” (U.S.) / “-isation” (U.Ok.) in phrases like “liberalization” or “generalization.”

• l’improvisation (fem.) = improvisation
• l’ubérisation (fem.) = uberization
• l’urbanisation (fem.)= urbanization

17. –iser

That means: signifies a verb

-iser:  Features the identical method because the English “ise” (U.Ok.) / “-ize” (U.S.) in phrases like “liberalize” or “basicize”. Will be changed by the suffix -isation with a view to render the verb a noun.

• improviser = to improvise
• ubériser = to uberize
• urbaniser = urbanize 

>>Talking of verbs, listed here are the 20 commonest French verbs you’ll encounter. 

18. -isme

That means: signifies a perception, worth, or philosophical system

–isme: The English equal of this suffix is “-ism” and is seen in nouns like le pragmatisme (pragmatism) and le soufisme (Sufism), although typically the English equal is -ity as within the phrase le christianisme (Christianity). More often than not its nouns are masculine.

• le capitalisme = capitalism
• l’humanisme = humanism
• le judaïsme = Judaism

19. -ois(e)

That means: Refers to an individual’s nationality, or area/continent of origin

–ois(e): This suffix is used for nationalities, however can be seen in phrases like bourgeois (bourgeois).

• chinois(e) = Chinese language
• courtois(e) = well mannered, courteous; courtly
• luxembourgeois(e) = Luxembourgian

20. -teur/trice

That means: designates an individual who performs a sure operate

–teur/trice: This suffix interprets to the English “-or”  or “-er” and serves the identical operate of defining somebody that does one thing, be it one which acts (actor), one which drives (driver/chauffeur), one which directs a film (director), and so on. 

Likewise, –trice is the equal of “-ess” (e.g. “actress”). Nevertheless, there may be not at all times a female model. Phrases like chauffeur (driver) and professeur (professor) don’t use the female -trice, even when the individual identifies as a girl.  

• un(e) acteur/actrice = actor/actress
•  un chauffeur = driver/chauffer
• un(e) réalisateur/réalisatrice = director (of a film)

Broaden your French vocabulary with Rosetta Stone

You don’t must memorize each suffix on this record, however recognizing them can assist you contextualize phrases that you simply won’t know. Plus, they can assist you solidify your information of French grammatical gender guidelines, which could be tough for newer learners! 

If you happen to’re into studying in a enjoyable, participating atmosphere, Rosetta Stone has all the pieces you should take the following step in your French studying journey. Broaden your French abilities and increase your confidence with bite-sized, immersive classes that put together you for real-life dialog. You’ll even get quick in-app suggestions in your pronunciation with TruAccent, which is constructed into each lesson! 

Written by Micah McCauley

Micah McCauley is a present freelance contributor to Rosetta Stone with years of expertise instructing French to non-native audio system. His profession spans the U.S., France, and China. He’s presently a scholar and affiliate teacher of French and Francophone Research. He enjoys composing music, touring, and studying Spanish in his free time.