Morphology Patterns
Understand how French words are built from prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Learn the meaning of common word parts and expand your vocabulary.
Prefixes
Word parts added before the root
Latin origin, intensifying prefix.
Latin origin, meaning 'again, back'. Prefixes typically form separate syllables.
Latin *dis-*, negation/reversal
Latin origin, meaning 'in, into'. Changes verb meaning.
Latin origin, meaning 'against', prefix indicating opposition.
Latin origin, meaning 'across, through'. Prefixes modify the meaning of the root.
Latin origin, indicates repetition or intensification.
Latin *sub-* meaning 'under, below'. Intensifier.
Latin origin, meaning 'with, together'.
Latin origin, meaning 'over', 'above'. Creates a derivative.
Latin origin, indicates a state or action.
Latin origin, meaning 'between' or 'among', reciprocal prefix.
Showing 12 of 50 patterns
Roots
Core meaning-bearing word parts
Greek origin, meaning 'write, record'.
Greek origin (syn- 'together', chronos 'time').
Latin via French, from *crystallus*, meaning 'crystal'.
Latin origin, from *sensus* meaning 'feeling, perception'.
Latin origin (*permeabilis*), meaning 'permeable'. Core meaning.
Latin *alimentum* meaning 'nourishment'. Core meaning related to food.
From 'matériel', Latin 'materialis', relating to matter.
From 'bouchon' (cork), of uncertain origin. Refers to a cork.
Latin origin (*Christianus*), relating to Christ.
Latin *stituere* (to establish, set up). Core meaning.
From Latin *venire* 'to come'. Core meaning related to convention.
Greek origin (kratos), meaning 'power'.
Showing 12 of 50 patterns
Suffixes
Word parts added after the root
From '-ation' + '-s'. Nominalization suffix forming a noun, with plural marking.
Conditional present ending.
French verbal suffix indicating 3rd person plural imperfect subjunctive. Marks grammatical function.
French, imperfect subjunctive, 2nd person plural. Composed of -a-, -ss-, -iez.
Conditional present, first-person plural ending.
French origin, conditional ending
French conditional present, 1st person plural ending.
French conditional tense ending. Composed of -ise- and -raient.
French conditional ending, first person singular.
Latin *-ationes*. Forms a noun of action or result.
French, from Latin *-izare*, verb-forming suffix.
Showing 12 of 50 patterns