French Prefixes And Suffixes: Boost Your French Vocab (Examples)

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Understanding French Prefixes and Suffixes (for Beginners)

French prefixes and suffixes are used to create new words and modify existing words.

These word elements provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the French language, allowing speakers to express complex ideas with precision.

1. Prefixes:

A prefix is a word element that is added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Some common French prefixes include:

  • Dé- (dis-)
  • Pré- (pre-)
  • In- (in-)
  • En- (en-)
  • Re- (re-)

For example:

  • Décrire (to describe) becomes décrivant (describing)
  • Préparer (to prepare) becomes préparant (preparing)
  • Informer (to inform) becomes informant (informing)
  • Envoyer (to send) becomes envoyant (sending)
  • Ressentir (to feel) becomes ressentant (feeling)

2. Suffixes:

A suffix is a word element that is added to the end of a word to modify its meaning.

Some common French suffixes include:

  • -er (to do, to make)
  • -age (action, result)
  • -isme (system, ideology)
  • -iste (person, advocate)
  • -ment (state, condition)

For example:

  • Parler (to speak) becomes parleur (speaker)
  • Vivre (to live) becomes vivage (living)
  • Socialiste (socialist)
  • Touriste (tourist)
  • Développement (development)

3. Practice:

Practice identifying and using French prefixes and suffixes in a variety of contexts.

Look for words that contain prefixes or suffixes and think about how their meaning changes with the addition of these elements.

Conclusion:

By understanding French prefixes and suffixes, you’ll be able to communicate more complex ideas and express yourself with greater precision in the French language.

With practice, these elements will become second nature, and you’ll be able to use them effortlessly in conversation and writing.

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