Word Structure

Meaning through Word Analysis

Derived and Compound words

At the most basic level, words are made up of a unit element that cannot be fragmented into smaller meaningful parts. But
there ae some words that have been added with some particles at the beginning (prefix) or at the end (suffix); some others
are made up from roots, and there are also words made up from two words (compound words). In other terms, derived
words are words that come from others. They always have a root that sometimes can be combined with some prefixes or
suffixes for creating new words that continue keeping a relation with the original root.

Prefixes: Combinations of letters (particles) that appear at the beginning of a word and change its meaning: size, place,
time, order, quantity, quality, negation…
Example: skirt (falda) Maxiskirt (maxifalda). Mini skirt (minifalda).

Suffixes: particles added at the end of some words to change their grammar category:
The noun danger + the suffix ous makes the word danger an adjective = dangerous.

Roots
A word root is a part of a word. It contains the core meaning of the word, but it cannot stand alone. Sometimes two roots
combine to make one word, as in telephone, a combination of the root tele, which means distance, and the root phone,
which means sound. Antropo + logos = anthropology. Demo + cratos = democracy

Compound Words:
Sometimes, two or more words get together to make a new word with a new meaning. Compound words are formed by two
complete words Examples: secondhand, keyboard, notebook, daughter-in-law, six-pack beer, post office, middle class

Basket (canasta) + ball (pelota) = Basketball (baloncesto)

Sun (sol) + flower (flor) = sunflower (girasol)

Snow (nieve) + man (hombre) = snowman (muñeco de nieve)

Knowing the meaning of roots, prefixes, suffixes and compound words, help understand thousands of words.
 Prefixes
Latin and Greek
Latin Prefixes Meaning of the Prefix Examples
a Sin, no Atheist, anemic
Bi-, bis- Dos, ambos lados, dos periodos Bilingual, biennial
Contra Contra, opuesto, contrario a Contradict, contraceptive,
In-, im-, il-, ir-, un-, Not Infertile, Illiterate, impossible, irregular, unhappy
Non- No Non-living
Post- Después Postwar, postgraduate
Pre Antes Prewar, preschool,
Re- Hacia atrás, de nuevo Reexamine, rewrite
Sub Debajo Subcommittee, subaquatic
Super más calidad, cantidad tamaño, Supermarket, superstar
Trans Más allá, a través Transpersonal, transit

Greek Prefixes Meaning of The Prefix Examples

a, an No; sin Atypical, anaerobic
anti- Opuesto; contra Antiaircraft, antibody,
auto Auto Autograph, autobiography,
di, dis Dos veces; doble Dicothomy, dichromatic,
dys Malo; anormal Dysphasia, dysphonia,
endo Dentro; en Endophagus, endoscope,
epi Sobre Epidermis, epitaph,
eu Bien; buen Euphemism, euphony
hypo Debajo Hypotension, hypothermia,
hyper Sobre Hypersensitive,
mono Solo; uno Monochromatic

Suffixes Table
Suffixes that form nouns:
Suffixes Meaning of the Suffix Examples
ance proceso de; cualidad o estado Performance, arrogance
ant, er, or, ian persona o cosa que hace algo Assistant, player, operator, historian
dom estado, condición, dominio de estado Kingdom, wisdom, martyrdom
ence cualidad; estado; resultado Excellence, confidence,
hood Estado, cualidad, condición, grupo Brotherhood, bachelorhood,
ion, -tion, sion Acto o condición de; resultado de Retrospection; confusion
ism práctica; conducta, características cubism, socialism
ist el que hace; practica o profesa Chemist, altruist, economist
ment Medio, estado, condición Development, government,
ness Estado; cualidad o condición de Happiness, sadness,
ship Cualidad, estado, condición de ser Readership leadership, relationship
ty Cualidad, estado, Anxiety, sanity,
y Cualidad, acción de un cuerpo Jealousy , daddy soldiery

Suffixes that form Adjectives :

Suffixex Meaning of the suffix Examples
able/ ible Digno de, cualidad lovable; comfortable
al Cualidad Hysterical, theatrical,
en Hecho de Wooden, Golden
Ic, ical Característica de Analgesic. citric
ious/ ous Caracterizado por; Dangerous; rebellious
ish De apariencia, aproximadamente Thirtyish,greenish;
ive Relacionado con, perteneciente a, retrospective preventive
ful Lleno de, caracterizado por helpful, forgetful joyful
less Sin, no apto para careless toothless
 like Cualidad de Childlike, homelike,
Ly, y Característico, lapso de tiempo deadly hourly, yearly, creamy

Suffixes that form Verbs:

Suffixes Meaning of the Suffix Examples
ate Producir, hacer que algo suceda Ulcerate, evaporate
en Volverse, hacer que algo sea darken, soften, brighten
fy / ify Hacer que algo sea, se vuelva, tenga glorify; putrefy, dignify, diversify
ize Hacer que sea, se vuelva, se parezca Crystalize, theorize

Suffixes that form Adverbs

Suffix Meaning of the Suffix Examples
ly Hasta cierto punto, tiempo o lugar firstly, thirdly suddenly
ward(s) En una manera o dirección Backward(s)
wise En una manera o dirección clockwise

COMPOUND WORD PRACTICE

Notice the words at the top and left side and make up new words. Put a check mark on the boxes that make up those words.

One In Day Ever Where Self How Out Body Thing Way
What 

With

Every

When

No

Who

Some

Where

Compound words exercise

Match the words in the first column with the adequate ones of the second to form compound words.

Column 1 Column 2 Compound word Spanish translation

1- back a- telling 1- Backbone columna vertebral

2- fire b- end
3- mail c- chair
4- sand d- place
5- news e- spoon
6- arm f- bone
7- fire g- stand
8- air h- man
9- week i- castle
10- tea j- box
11- story k- plane
12- table l- brow
13 news m- paper
14- eye n- pot