Affixes Flashcards
-ej-
Place
Indicates a place where the root word exists or happens.
hundarejo – kennel (from “hundo”, “dog”, and “-ar-“, “group”)
kuirejo – kitchen (from “kuiri”, “to cook”)
bo-
In-Law
Indicates a relationship by marriage.
bofrato – Brother-In-Law
bopatrino – Mother-In-Law
dis-
Scattering
Indicates a scattering effect or action.
disigi – to disband (to become separate)
disŝiri – to shred, to rip up (to tear into pieces)
ek-
Beginning, Sudden or Momentary Action
Indicates an action that is sudden, short, or just starting.
ekstari – to get up (to begin to stand)
ekparoli – to utter (to begin to speak)
eks-
Ex
Indicates a former relationship
eksedzino – ex-wife
eksvirkato – neutered cat (formerly male cat)
fi-
Shameful
Indicates shame, disappoval, disgust.
fifama – Infamous (shameful fame)
fikomercisto – con man, swindler (shameful business professional)
ge-
Of Both Genders
In esperanto, the root word defaults to male. This prefix indicates that both sexes are being referenced. Nouns with “gi-“ are always plural.
gepatroj – parents (patro = father)
geamikoj – friends (of both genders)
mal-
Opposite
The opposite of the root word.
maldekstra – left (opposite of right)
malalta – short (opposite of tall)
mis-
Wrongly
Indicates error in the root word.
misfunkcio – malfunction (wrongly function)
misciti – to misquote (wrongly quote)
pra-
Ancient
praavo – great-grandfather (ancient grandfather)
prahistorio – pre-history (ancient history)
re-
Again, Repeated, Responsive
reagi – to react (to act in response)
rekoni – to recognize (to know again)
-aĉ-
Contemptible
Indicates disgust, contempt.
homaĉo – jerk, asshole (contemptible person)
domaĉo – shack (contemptible house)
-ad-
Frequent or Continuous Action
Denotes a long, repetitive, or frequent action, or an abstract action state.
ridado – laughter (continuous laugh)
usado – use, usage (continuous use)
-aĵ-
Concrete Instance, Substance
Indicates a concrete or discrete instance of the root.
absurdaĵo – absurdity, nonsense (from “absurda”, “absurd”)
bovaĵo – beef (from bovo, “head of cattle”)
-an-
Member Of The Root Group
Indicates belonging to the root group or club.
usonano – American (from “usono”, “United States of America”)
teamano – team member (from “teamo”, “team”)
-ar-
Group
Indicates a group of the root
hundaro – pack (from “hundo”, “dog”)
arbaro – forest (from “arbo”, “tree”)
-ebl-
Possibility
Indicates possibility of the root action.
videbla – visible (from “vidi”, “to see”)
kredebla – credible (from “kredi”, “to believe”)
-ec-
Abstract Quality
Indicates an abstract quality, like “-ness”.
alteco – height (from “alta”, “tall”)
pureco – cleanliness, purity (from “pura”, “clean, pure”)
-eg-
Large In Size or Degree
Indicates a root of great size or degree.
kriegi – to yell (from “krii”, “to cry”)
homego – giant (from “homo”, “person’)
-em-
Tendency Toward
Indicates a general tendency toward the root action or quality
amema – loving, affectionate (from “amo”, “love”)
laborema – hard-working (from “labori”, “to work”)
-end-
Necessary
Indicates that root is something that must be done
atentenda – That to which attention must be paid (from “atenti”, “to pay attention”)
uzenda – Required to be used (from “uzi”, “to use”)
-er-
Particle / Single Unit
Indicates a piece or unit of the root.
akvero – drop of water (from “akvo”, “water”).
sablero – grain of sand (from “sablo”, “sand”).
-estr-
Leader / Boss
Indicates the person or entity in charge of the root.
domestro – head of household (from “domo”, “house”)
urbestro – mayor (from “urbo”, “city”)
-et-
Small In Size or Degree
Indicates a root of small size or degree.
ameti – to like, to be fond of (from “ami”, “to love”)
libreto – booklet (from “libro”, “book”)
-id-
Offspring
Indicates offspring, child
hundido – puppy (from “hundo”, “dog”)
katido – kitten (from “kato”, “cat”)
-ig-
Make or Cause
Indicates making or causing the root word. Also changes intransitive verbs to transitive verbs (“subject becomes x or does x to themselves” to “subject causes x to be done to object”).
manĝigi – to feed (from “manĝi”, “to eat”)
lernigi – to teach (from “lerni”, “to learn”)
-iĝ-
Become
Indicates becoming the root word. Also turns transitive verbs into intransitive verbs (changes a verb from “subject does x to object” to “subject becomes x or does x to themselves”).
sciiĝi – to find out about, learn of (from “scii”, “to know”)
vidiĝi – to appear (from “vidi”, “to see”)
-il-
Tool
Indicates a tool for the root, which is usually an action verb.
komputilo – computer (from “komputi”, “to compute”)
fotografilo – camera (from “fotografi”, “to photograph”)
-ind-
Worthy Of
Indicates worthiness of the root, similar to “-worthy” in English.
plorinda – worthy of crying over (from “plori”, “to cry”)
fidinda – trustworthy (from “fidi”, “to trust”)
-ing-
Holder For Root Object
Indicates a holder for the root object. This is different from a container (which is “-uj-“), and suggests a tight holder for a long skinny object, rather than a loose container.
ampolingo – light socket (from “ampolo”, “light bulb”)
kandelingo – candleholder (from “kandelo”, “candle”)
-in-
Female
Indicates a female version of the root. (Roots typically default to male or gender-neutral versions).
bovino – cow (from “bovo”, “head of cattle”)
knabino – girl (from “knabo”, “boy” or “child”)
