Acquaintance with Prefixes and Suffixes from Foreign Languages in English to Form Derivatives

English is a dynamic language that has evolved over centuries, borrowing extensively from Latin, Greek, French, German, Italian, and other languages. One of the most significant ways foreign languages have influenced English is through prefixes and suffixes—affixes that modify or extend the meanings of root words to create derivatives.

Understanding these affixes is essential for improving vocabulary, deciphering unfamiliar words, and enhancing communication skills. This detailed discussion explores their origins, meanings, and usage.

Prefixes from Foreign Languages

A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. These prefixes have origins in various foreign languages.

A. Latin Prefixes in English

Latin contributed significantly to English through Norman French, Church Latin, and scholarly works. Many Latin prefixes help form academic, scientific, and everyday vocabulary.

1. ad-

Meaning: To, toward
The prefix ad- suggests movement toward something or attachment.

Adhere – To stick to something (e.g., The tape adheres well to the wall.)
Address – To speak to someone or direct communication toward someone (e.g., She addressed the crowd with confidence.)
Adjust – To change something slightly to fit or work better (e.g., He adjusted the seat for comfort.)
Administer – To manage or oversee something (e.g., She administers the office efficiently.)
Admit – To allow entry or confess something (e.g., They admitted their mistake.)

2. dis-

Meaning: Apart, opposite
The prefix dis- indicates separation, negation, or an opposite meaning.

Disrupt – To break apart or disturb (e.g., Construction noise disrupted the meeting.)
Disconnect – To separate or break a connection (e.g., The phone disconnected during the call.)
Dislike – To have a negative feeling toward something (e.g., He dislikes spicy food.)
Disobey – To not follow instructions (e.g., The dog disobeyed its owner.)
Dissolve – To break apart or mix completely (e.g., The sugar dissolved in water.)

3. ex-

Meaning: Out of, from
The prefix ex- signifies movement outward or removal.

Export – To send goods out of a country (e.g., India exports spices to many countries.)
Exclude – To leave someone or something out (e.g., They excluded him from the team.)
Exhale – To breathe out (e.g., He exhaled deeply after the long run.)
Extract – To remove or take out (e.g., The dentist extracted a tooth.)
Exit – To leave or go out (e.g., She exited the room quietly.)

4. inter-

Meaning: Between
The prefix inter- refers to something occurring between or among things.

International – Between nations (e.g., International trade is vital for the economy.)
Interact – To act between or among people or things (e.g., The students interacted well in the group activity.)
Intervene – To come between to alter or mediate (e.g., The teacher intervened in the argument.)
Interfere – To come between in a disruptive way (e.g., Noise interferes with concentration.)
Internet – A global network that connects between computers (e.g., The internet has revolutionized communication.)

5. pre-

Meaning: Before
The prefix pre- indicates something happening before in time or order.

Predict – To say something before it happens (e.g., Scientists predict heavy rain tomorrow.)
Prepare – To get ready beforehand (e.g., She prepared for her exam well in advance.)
Preview – To see or review something before it is shown (e.g., The movie preview was exciting.)
Precaution – A step taken before to prevent harm (e.g., Safety precautions are necessary on a construction site.)
Prepay – To pay for something before it is delivered (e.g., You can prepay for your online order.)

6. sub-

Meaning: Under
The prefix sub- indicates something below or beneath.

Submarine – A vessel that operates under the sea (e.g., The submarine submerged to avoid detection.)
Submerge – To go under water (e.g., The ship submerged during the storm.)
Substandard – Below standard (e.g., The substandard product was returned.)
Subtitle – Text displayed below the screen (e.g., The movie had English subtitles.)
Subtract – To take away (e.g., Subtracting five from ten gives five.)

7. trans-

Meaning: Across
The prefix trans- implies movement or change across something.

Transport – To carry across (e.g., Goods are transported by road and rail.)
Transmit – To send across (e.g., Radio waves transmit sound.)
Transfer – To move something from one place to another (e.g., The files were transferred to the new computer.)
Transparent – Allowing light to pass through (e.g., The glass is transparent.)
Transform – To change completely (e.g., Hard work transformed her life.)

B. Greek Prefixes in English

Greek prefixes are common in scientific, medical, and philosophical terms.

1. auto-

Meaning: Self
The prefix auto- refers to something that is done independently or by oneself.

Autobiography – A self-written life story (e.g., Her autobiography detailed her struggles and triumphs.)
Automobile – A vehicle that moves by itself (e.g., The automobile industry has grown rapidly in recent decades.)
Autonomy – Independence or self-governance (e.g., The region sought autonomy from the central government.)
Automatic – Working by itself without manual control (e.g., The lights turned on automatically when it got dark.)
Autodidact – A self-taught person (e.g., He became a skilled programmer as an autodidact.)

2. hyper-

Meaning: Excessive, above
The prefix hyper- is used to indicate something excessive or over the normal level.

Hyperactive – Excessively active (e.g., The hyperactive child found it hard to sit still in class.)
Hypertension – Abnormally high blood pressure (e.g., Managing hypertension involves regular exercise and a healthy diet.)
Hyperbole – Exaggerated statements (e.g., His claims were full of hyperbole and hard to believe.)
Hypermarket – A very large store (e.g., The new hypermarket sells everything from clothes to electronics.)
Hyperlink – A link that connects online content (e.g., Clicking the hyperlink will take you to the homepage.)

3. hypo-

Meaning: Under, below
The prefix hypo- refers to something that is below or less than normal.

Hypothermia – Abnormally low body temperature (e.g., The hiker suffered hypothermia after being exposed to freezing temperatures.)
Hypothesis – A proposed idea under investigation (e.g., The scientist tested the hypothesis through experiments.)
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar levels (e.g., Hypoglycemia can cause dizziness and fatigue.)
Hypodermic – Under the skin (e.g., The nurse used a hypodermic needle to give the injection.)
Hypocritical – Behaving below one's stated values (e.g., It is hypocritical to demand honesty while being dishonest.)

4. mono-

Meaning: One, single
The prefix mono- signifies singularity or being one of a kind.

Monologue – A speech by one person (e.g., The actor delivered an emotional monologue in the final act.)
Monochrome – Displaying only one color (e.g., The photograph was in monochrome, with shades of black and white.)
Monogamy – Being married to one person (e.g., Monogamy is a common practice in many cultures.)
Monopoly – Exclusive control by one entity (e.g., The company has a monopoly over the tech market.)
Monotonous – Repetitive and dull (e.g., The monotonous lecture put the students to sleep.)

5. poly-

Meaning: Many
The prefix poly- is used to indicate multiple or many things.

Polyglot – A person who knows many languages (e.g., The polyglot could speak English, Spanish, and Hindi fluently.)
Polygon – A shape with many sides (e.g., A triangle is the simplest polygon with three sides.)
Polygamy – Having many spouses (e.g., Polygamy is practiced in some societies and prohibited in others.)
Polytheism – Belief in many gods (e.g., Ancient Greeks practiced polytheism, worshipping gods like Zeus and Apollo.)
Polyester – A material made from many chemical compounds (e.g., Polyester is widely used in the clothing industry.)

6. tele-

Meaning: Distant
The prefix tele- relates to things happening over a distance.

Telephone – A device for transmitting sound over a distance (e.g., She used the telephone to call her friend in another country.)
Television – A device for viewing visuals transmitted from afar (e.g., The news was broadcast live on television.)
Telescope – A device to view distant objects (e.g., Through the telescope, they observed the craters on the moon.)
Telegraph – A system for sending written messages over long distances (e.g., The telegraph revolutionized communication in the 19th century.)
Telepathy – The ability to communicate thoughts over a distance (e.g., Some people believe twins share telepathy.)

7. geo-

Meaning: Earth
The prefix geo- refers to the Earth or things related to it.

Geography – The study of Earth's surface and features (e.g., Geography helps us understand different terrains and climates.)
Geology – The study of rocks and Earth's structure (e.g., Geology explains how mountains and volcanoes form.)
Geothermal – Heat derived from the Earth (e.g., Geothermal energy is a sustainable power source.)
Geometry – A branch of mathematics dealing with shapes on Earth (e.g., Students learn geometry to measure angles and areas.)
Geopolitics – Politics influenced by geographical factors (e.g., Geopolitics shapes the relationship between nations.)

C. French Prefixes in English

French prefixes entered English primarily through the Norman Conquest and influence legal, culinary, and fashion-related vocabulary.

1. mal-

Meaning: Bad
The prefix mal- refers to something harmful or undesirable.

Malfunction – Bad function (e.g., The car's engine malfunctioned in the middle of the road.)
Malnutrition – Bad or inadequate nutrition (e.g., The child was hospitalized due to severe malnutrition.)
Malcontent – A person who is dissatisfied or rebellious (e.g., The malcontent frequently complained about the company's policies.)
Malpractice – Bad practice or unethical behavior (e.g., The surgeon was sued for malpractice after making a critical mistake.)
Malformed – Abnormally shaped or structured (e.g., The malformed tree branch was cut down for safety.)

2. en-

Meaning: Cause to
The prefix en- is used to indicate that something is being caused or made into a state.

Enrich – Cause to become rich (e.g., The new business venture enriched the local economy.)
Enlarge – Cause to become larger (e.g., The company plans to enlarge its factory to increase production.)
Encourage – Cause to become more confident or enthusiastic (e.g., Her teacher encouraged her to pursue a career in science.)
Enable – Make able to do something (e.g., The new software update will enable better functionality.)
Endanger – Cause to be in danger (e.g., The oil spill endangered the marine life in the area.)

3. de-

Meaning: Reverse, remove
The prefix de- indicates the removal, reversal, or undoing of something.

Deconstruct – To break down (e.g., The artist deconstructed the traditional style to create something new.)
Deforest – Remove trees from (e.g., The company was fined for illegally deforesting protected land.)
Depress – To press down or reduce in value (e.g., The news about the company's failure depressed its stock price.)
Detox – Remove toxins from (e.g., After a week-long detox, she felt healthier and more energized.)
Deactivate – To make inactive (e.g., The security system was deactivated for maintenance.)

4. sur-

Meaning: Over, above
The prefix sur- suggests something that goes beyond or is superior to the norm.

Surpass – To go beyond (e.g., The athlete managed to surpass his personal best in the race.)
Surveillance – Close observation, especially of a suspect (e.g., The police set up surveillance outside the building.)
Surcharge – An additional charge (e.g., The hotel applied a surcharge for using the spa services.)
Surmount – To overcome or rise above (e.g., She surmounted the challenges of her illness and returned to work.)
Surreal – Beyond what is real or believable (e.g., The movie had a surreal quality, making it hard to distinguish fantasy from reality.)

D. German Prefixes in English

English and German belong to the Germanic language family, and some German prefixes have been borrowed into English, especially in philosophy, psychology, and modern culture.

1. über-

Meaning: Over, beyond
The prefix über- refers to something that is superior, transcendent, or beyond the usual.

Übermensch – Superhuman (e.g., The philosopher Nietzsche introduced the concept of the übermensch, a superior being beyond conventional morality.)
Übercharge – To overcharge (e.g., The vendor was accused of trying to übercharge tourists for souvenirs.)
Übercautious – Excessively cautious (e.g., He became übercautious after the accident, avoiding risky activities.)
Überwealthy – Extremely wealthy (e.g., The überwealthy businessman donated millions to charity.)
Überfast – Extremely fast (e.g., The new car model is überfast, reaching high speeds within seconds.)

2. under-

Meaning: beneath or lower
The prefix under- indicates something beneath or lower in position or importance.

Undertake – To take responsibility for (e.g., She decided to undertake the responsibility of organizing the event.)
Undermine – To weaken or harm (e.g., The scandal threatened to undermine his credibility.)
Underestimate – To think something is smaller or less important than it actually is (e.g., He underestimated her ability to succeed in the competition.)
Underprivileged – Lacking basic necessities (e.g., The underprivileged children received scholarships to attend school.)
Underdog – A person or team in a competition that is expected to lose (e.g., The underdog team won the championship against all odds.)

Suffixes from Foreign Languages

A suffix is a group of letters added at the end of a word to change its grammatical function or meaning. English has borrowed many suffixes from Latin, Greek, and French, which help in forming adjectives, nouns, and verbs.

A. Latin Suffixes in English

Latin suffixes are widely used in legal, medical, and academic fields.

1. -able / -ible

Meaning: Capable of
The suffix -able or -ible indicates something that is capable of or has the ability to do something.

Flexible – Capable of bending (e.g., The flexible material can be twisted without breaking.)
Readable – Capable of being read (e.g., The document is easily readable even in low light.)
Invisible – Capable of not being seen (e.g., The ink was invisible under normal light but visible under UV light.)
Understandable – Capable of being understood (e.g., Her explanation was clear and understandable to everyone.)
Manageable – Capable of being managed (e.g., The project seemed overwhelming, but it was ultimately manageable.)

2. -tion / -sion

Meaning: Act of
The suffix -tion or -sion denotes the act of or the result of an action.

Creation – Act of creating (e.g., The artist’s creation was displayed in the gallery.)
Suspension – Act of suspending (e.g., The suspension of the employee was a result of repeated misconduct.)
Eruption – Act of erupting (e.g., The volcano's eruption was heard miles away.)
Construction – Act of building (e.g., The construction of the new bridge will take several months.)
Collection – Act of collecting (e.g., His collection of rare coins is impressive.)

3. -ous

Meaning: Full of
The suffix -ous means full of or having the qualities of something.

Glorious – Full of glory (e.g., The team received a glorious welcome after their victory.)
Dangerous – Full of danger (e.g., The dangerous road conditions made travel risky.)
Famous – Full of fame (e.g., The famous actor received numerous awards for his performances.)
Generous – Full of generosity (e.g., The generous donation helped fund the new library.)
Nervous – Full of nervousness (e.g., She felt nervous before her presentation, but it went well.)

4. -ment

Meaning: State of
The suffix -ment indicates the state or condition resulting from an action.

Contentment – State of being content (e.g., She smiled in contentment after finishing her work.)
Enjoyment – State of enjoying (e.g., The family had a great time at the amusement park, full of enjoyment.)
Achievement – State of having achieved (e.g., His promotion was a significant achievement in his career.)
Encouragement – State of being encouraged (e.g., Her words of encouragement helped him through the tough times.)
Employment – State of being employed (e.g., The new policies increased employment in the area.)

B. Greek Suffixes in English

Greek suffixes are prevalent in science, philosophy, and medicine.

1. -logy

Meaning: Study of
The suffix -logy refers to the study of a particular subject or field.

Biology – Study of life (e.g., Biology is the scientific study of living organisms and their interactions.)
Psychology – Study of the mind (e.g., Psychology examines mental processes and behaviors.)
Geology – Study of the Earth (e.g., Geology focuses on the structure and composition of the Earth.)
Sociology – Study of society (e.g., Sociology explores human society, its institutions, and interactions.)
Anthropology – Study of humans (e.g., Anthropology investigates human cultures, evolution, and behavior.)

2. -phobia

Meaning: Fear of
The suffix -phobia indicates an irrational fear of a specific thing or situation.

Arachnophobia – Fear of spiders (e.g., Arachnophobia causes individuals to avoid spiders or places where they may be found.)
Claustrophobia – Fear of confined spaces (e.g., People with claustrophobia may experience anxiety in elevators or small rooms.)
Acrophobia – Fear of heights (e.g., He has acrophobia and avoids tall buildings or flying.)
Nyctophobia – Fear of darkness (e.g., Children often develop nyctophobia, becoming afraid of the dark.)
Cacophobia – Fear of ugliness (e.g., Cacophobia can cause discomfort or distress when confronted with what is perceived as ugly.)

3. -cracy

Meaning: Rule by
The suffix -cracy refers to a system of government or rule by a particular group of people.

Democracy – Rule by people (e.g., In a democracy, citizens have the power to elect their leaders and make decisions.)
Aristocracy – Rule by the elite or privileged class (e.g., The country was once governed by an aristocracy, where a small group of noble families held power.)
Theocracy – Rule by religious leaders (e.g., In a theocracy, religious leaders hold political power, as seen in some historical societies.)
Plutocracy – Rule by the wealthy (e.g., A plutocracy is a system where the rich control the government and its policies.)
Bureaucracy – Rule by officials (e.g., Bureaucracy refers to the administrative system and the role of government officials in running the state.)

C. French Suffixes in English

French suffixes are commonly found in fashion, law, and the arts.

1. -ette

Meaning: Small
The suffix -ette refers to something that is smaller or a diminutive form of the original.

Kitchenette – Small kitchen (e.g., The apartment had a small kitchenette instead of a full-sized kitchen.)
Baguette – A long, narrow loaf of bread (e.g., She bought a fresh baguette from the bakery.)
Dollhouse – A small model house (e.g., The little girl spent hours playing with her dollhouse.)
Cigarette – A small roll of tobacco (e.g., He lit a cigarette while waiting for the bus.)
Tissueette – A small tissue (e.g., She wiped her tears with a tissueette from her purse.)

2. -age

Meaning: Action, process
The suffix -age indicates an action, a process, or the result of something.

Voyage – Process of traveling (e.g., The crew embarked on a long voyage across the ocean.)
Passage – Process of passing (e.g., The passage through the dark cave was difficult and dangerous.)
Marriage – Action of getting married (e.g., Their marriage was celebrated in a beautiful ceremony.)
Baggage – Process of carrying or storing (e.g., The travelers checked in their baggage before the flight.)
Rummage – Action of searching through something (e.g., He decided to rummage through the old box in the attic.)

3. -eur

Meaning: Doer of action
The suffix -eur refers to a person who performs a certain action or is involved in a particular activity.

Entrepreneur – Person who undertakes business (e.g., The entrepreneur launched a startup focused on sustainable products.)
Promoter – Person who promotes or supports (e.g., The promoter organized a charity event to raise awareness.)
Explorer – Person who explores (e.g., The explorer traveled to uncharted territories to document new species.)
Volunteer – Person who offers services without payment (e.g., She is a volunteer at the local animal shelter.)
Collector – Person who collects things (e.g., He is a collector of rare coins from different countries.)

D. Italian Suffixes in English

Italian suffixes are common in music and fine arts.

1. -issimo

Meaning: Very, extremely
The suffix -issimo is used to indicate something that is very or extremely something, often used in a heightened or intense form.

Fortissimo – Very loud (e.g., The orchestra played the final movement fortissimo, filling the hall with sound.)
Allegroissimo – Extremely fast (e.g., The pianist played the final section of the piece allegroissimo, with rapid speed.)
Vitivissimo – Extremely lively or full of life (e.g., The vitivissimo performance left the audience exhilarated and energized.)
Bellissimo – Very beautiful (e.g., The view from the mountaintop was bellissimo, absolutely breathtaking.)
Lentissimo – Extremely slow (e.g., The orchestra performed the piece lentissimo, with a slow and deliberate pace.)

Importance of Foreign Affixes in English

✔ Expands Vocabulary – Helps in learning new words and understanding their meanings.
✔ Enhances Comprehension – Recognizing affixes aids in decoding unfamiliar words.
✔ Improves Writing & Speaking – Provides a richer vocabulary for effective communication.
✔ Aids in Academic & Professional Growth – Essential for legal, scientific, and business terminology.

By mastering prefixes and suffixes from different languages, learners can improve their linguistic skills and appreciate the diverse influences that have shaped modern English.

Exercise

Q. Form new words by adding appropriate prefixes or suffixes to the given words and explain their meanings in simple terms.

1. Write → Writer, Writing, Rewriting

Writer: A person who writes, such as an author or journalist.
Writing: The act of putting words on paper or typing them.
Rewriting: The process of writing something again to improve it.

2. Agree → Agreement, Disagree, Agreeable

Agreement: A mutual understanding between people or groups.
Disagree: To have a different opinion or not accept something.
Agreeable: Something pleasant or acceptable to others.

3. Happy → Happiness, Unhappy, Happily

Happiness: A feeling of joy and contentment.
Unhappy: Feeling sad or not satisfied.
Happily: Doing something in a joyful or cheerful way.

4. Help → Helper, Helpful, Helpless

Helper: A person who assists others.
Helpful: Someone or something that gives assistance or support.
Helpless: Lacking the ability to help oneself.

5. Kind → Kindness, Unkind, Kindly

Kindness: The quality of being caring and considerate.
Unkind: Not being nice or considerate to others.
Kindly: Doing something in a gentle and considerate way.

6. Hope → Hopeful, Hopeless, Hopefully

Hopeful: Feeling positive about the future.
Hopeless: Having no hope or chance of success.
Hopefully: Expressing a desire or expectation.

7. Friend → Friendship, Friendly, Unfriendly

Friendship: A bond between people who care for each other.
Friendly: Acting in a kind and welcoming manner.
Unfriendly: Not being warm or kind to others.

8. Care → Careful, Careless, Caregiver

Careful: Doing something with caution and attention.
Careless: Not paying attention, which may cause mistakes.
Caregiver: A person who takes care of someone in need.

9. True → Truth, Untrue, Truly

Truth: Something that is real or factual.
Untrue: Something that is false or incorrect.
Truly: In an honest and sincere manner.

10. Success → Successful, Unsuccessful, Successfully

Successful: Achieving goals or doing well.
Unsuccessful: Failing to achieve what was intended.
Successfully: Doing something in an effective and positive way.

Q. Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Prefixes

The boy was __________ (happy) with his performance.
She __________ (understood) the concept again.
The food was __________ (cooked), so we couldn’t eat it.
The officer had to __________ (approve) the document.
The manager decided to __________ (organize) the files.
The story he told was __________ (believable).
The team was __________ (guided) by false information.
She was __________ (satisfied) with the service at the restaurant.
His handwriting was __________ (legible), making it hard to read.
The child was __________ (polite) to the teacher.

Answers:

unhappy
reunderstood (incorrect usage, better: tried to understand)
undercooked
disapprove
reorganize
unbelievable
misguided
dissatisfied
illegible
impolite

Q. Add the appropriate prefix and/or suffix to the following words to form meaningful words:

act → __________
organize → __________
possible → __________
connect → __________
manage → __________
agree → __________
legal → __________
direct → __________
friend → __________
happy → __________

Answers:

act → react, active, action
organize → reorganize, organization, disorganize
possible → impossible, possibility, possibly
connect → disconnect, connection, reconnect
manage → mismanage, management, manageable
agree → disagree, agreement, agreeable
legal → illegal, legality, legally
direct → indirect, direction, director
friend → friendship, friendly, befriend
happy → unhappy, happiness, happily

Q. Identify the Prefix and Suffix in Each Word

Unstoppable → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Kindness → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Rebuild → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Joyfully → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Disagree → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Hopeful → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Irregular → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Careless → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Misunderstood → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________
Helpless → Prefix: ________, Suffix: ________

Answers:

Unstoppable → Prefix: un-, Suffix: -able
Kindness → Prefix: None, Suffix: -ness
Rebuild → Prefix: re-, Suffix: None
Joyfully → Prefix: None, Suffix: -fully
Disagree → Prefix: dis-, Suffix: None
Hopeful → Prefix: None, Suffix: -ful
Irregular → Prefix: ir-, Suffix: None
Careless → Prefix: None, Suffix: -less
Misunderstood → Prefix: mis-, Suffix: None
Helpless → Prefix: None, Suffix: -less

LearnEng with Dr. Priyanka Marwaha