Morphology Patterns
Understand how Italian 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, reduplication prefix meaning 'again'.
Latin origin, intensifying prefix.
Latin *super-* meaning 'over, above'. Enhances the verb's intensity.
From Latin *super-* meaning 'over', functions as an intensifier.
From Latin 're-', meaning 'again, back'. Reduplication/reiteration.
Latin *super-* meaning 'above', adverbial prefix.
Latin origin, intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.
Latin sub-, adverbial prefix meaning 'under, below'
Greek origin, meaning 'far', 'distant'. Prefixes modify the meaning of the root.
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Roots
Core meaning-bearing word parts
From 'alimentare' (to nourish, to feed), Latin origin, relating to food.
From Latin 'praesens', meaning 'to be present'.
From Latin 'intendere', meaning 'to stretch out the mind, to attend'. Core meaning.
Latin 'dimensio', meaning 'measurement, size'. Core meaning of the verb.
Latin 'dicere' - to say, to dedicate
From utilizzare - to utilize. Latin utilis (useful) + ligare (to bind).
From *fatturare*, derived from *fatto* 'fact, deed' (Latin *factum*). Core meaning related to invoicing.
Latin *conditio* (condition), core meaning.
From Latin *passus* (past participle of *pati* 'to suffer'). Core meaning related to passion.
Latin origin, related to 'to load' or 'to charge'.
Latin origin, from 'parere' meaning 'to appear'
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Suffixes
Word parts added after the root
Conditional ending, derived from infinitive + auxiliary + past participle + personal ending.
Italian superlative suffix, formed from -issimo with added -a- for agreement.
Combination of infinitive marker '-ere-', conditional marker '-eb-', auxiliary 'essere' marker '-be-', and third-person plural ending '-ro-'
Conditional ending, derived from 'essere' (to be).
Future tense ending, 3rd person plural, derived from Latin.
Italian verbal suffix indicating imperfect subjunctive, 3rd person plural. Marks tense and mood.
'-ere' is the infinitive ending, '-ebbero' is the conditional ending (3rd person plural).
From Latin '-izare', verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make, to cause to be'.
Italian, derived from French/Latin, forms a noun denoting a process
Latin origin, adverbial suffix.
Showing 12 of 50 patterns