HyphenateIt
Learning Guide

Morphology Patterns

Understand how French words are built from prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Learn the meaning of common word parts and expand your vocabulary.

753 prefixes|3180 roots|3145 suffixes

Prefixes

Word parts added before the root

-re-685

Latin origin, meaning 'again, back'. Prefixes typically form separate syllables.

-in-287

Latin origin, meaning 'in, into'. Changes verb meaning.

-contre-281

Latin origin, meaning 'against', prefix indicating opposition.

-trans-256

Latin origin, meaning 'across, through'. Prefixes modify the meaning of the root.

-ré-244

Latin origin, indicates repetition or intensification.

-sous-205

Latin *sub-* meaning 'under, below'. Intensifier.

-con-190

Latin origin, meaning 'with, together'.

-sur-167

Latin origin, meaning 'over', 'above'. Creates a derivative.

-en-160

Latin origin, indicates a state or action.

-inter-135

Latin origin, meaning 'between' or 'among', reciprocal prefix.

Showing 12 of 50 patterns

Roots

Core meaning-bearing word parts

graph-161

Greek origin, meaning 'write, record'.

synchron-56

Greek origin (syn- 'together', chronos 'time').

cristal-48

Latin via French, from *crystallus*, meaning 'crystal'.

sensibil-48

Latin origin, from *sensus* meaning 'feeling, perception'.

perméabil-45

Latin origin (*permeabilis*), meaning 'permeable'. Core meaning.

aliment-45

Latin *alimentum* meaning 'nourishment'. Core meaning related to food.

matérial-41

From 'matériel', Latin 'materialis', relating to matter.

bouchon-40

From 'bouchon' (cork), of uncertain origin. Refers to a cork.

christian39

Latin origin (*Christianus*), relating to Christ.

stitution38

Latin *stituere* (to establish, set up). Core meaning.

vention-38

From Latin *venire* 'to come'. Core meaning related to convention.

crat-36

Greek origin (kratos), meaning 'power'.

Showing 12 of 50 patterns

Suffixes

Word parts added after the root

-assions-339

From '-ation' + '-s'. Nominalization suffix forming a noun, with plural marking.

-assent-151

French verbal suffix indicating 3rd person plural imperfect subjunctive. Marks grammatical function.

-assiez-148

French, imperfect subjunctive, 2nd person plural. Composed of -a-, -ss-, -iez.

-erions-144

Conditional present, first-person plural ending.

-aient-135

French origin, conditional ending

-ions-123

French conditional present, 1st person plural ending.

-iseraient-74

French conditional tense ending. Composed of -ise- and -raient.

-erais-73

French conditional ending, first person singular.

-ations-73

Latin *-ationes*. Forms a noun of action or result.

-iser--70

French, from Latin *-izare*, verb-forming suffix.

Showing 12 of 50 patterns