Spanish Suffixes

Spanish Suffixes

1. The Diminutive Suffixes:

• express smallness, cuteness, affection

• are added to the end of a noun and sometimes an adjective

In Spanish the diminutive suffixes are “ito, ita, itos, itas.”

To form the diminutive

1. drop the last vowel of the noun (or adjective)

2. add the “ito” ending that agrees in gender and number with the noun being made diminutive

Examples:

beso bes+ ito = besito

Ana An + ita = Anita

(little kiss)

(Annie)

3. Spelling changes:

• c qu chico chiqu + ito = chiquito

• g gu amigo amigu + ito =amiguito

• z c taza tac + ita = tacita

2. The Superlative Suffixes:

•express “extremely” + adjective

1. In Spanish the superlative suffixes are: “ísimo, ísima, ísimos, ísimas.”

•follow the same pattern/rules as the “diminutive”

bueno buen + ísimo =buenísimo

grandegrand + ísimo =grandísimo

2. Spelling changes:3. The spelling changes that apply to the diminutive also apply to the superlative.

• c qu rico riqu + ísimo = riquísimo

• g gu largo largu+ ísimo =larguísimo

• z c feliz felic + ísimo = felicísimo

3. For nouns and adjectives that end in a consonant:

• add the “ito” or “ísimo” suffix directly to the end of the word.

Juan Juanito pastel pastelito

fácil facilísimo marrón marronísimo