Diminutives and augmentatives are ways to change a noun to express something is smaller, cuter, or bigger — often adding emotional nuance.
Diminutives
Diminutives make something seem smaller or more affectionate. French forms diminutives mainly by adding endings like -ette, -et, -elle, or -on to the noun stem. These suffixes can also convey endearment or cuteness, not just small size.
Common Diminutive Suffixes
- -ette: Used mostly for feminine nouns.
- -et: Used mostly for masculine nouns.
- -elle: Another option for feminine nouns; often has a delicate or affectionate nuance.
- -on: Adds a diminutive or affectionate sense, more common in certain regional or old-fashioned usages.
Examples:
| Singular Noun | Diminutive Form | Meaning | Singular Noun | Diminutive Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| chat | chat on | little cat / kitty | maison | maisonn ette | little house |
| garçon | garçon net | little boy | fleur | fleure tte | little flower |
| livre | livr et | small book | plume | plum elle | small/dainty feather |
Usage Notes
- The noun’s gender usually stays the same. For example, chat (masc.) becomes chaton (masc.), and fleur (fem.) becomes fleurette (fem.).
- Sometimes the root changes slightly (e.g., maison + -ette → maisonnette with double "n").
- These forms can carry affectionate or tender connotations, not just literal smallness.
Augmentatives
Augmentatives express that something is bigger or more intense. French forms augmentatives by adding -on, -ard, -aud, or -asse suffixes, each carrying its own nuance.
Common Augmentative Suffixes
- -on: Can indicate largeness or emphasis; also used in diminutives (context matters).
- -ard: Often has a pejorative or familiar tone.
- -aud / -aut: Rare, can denote largeness or exaggeration.
- -asse: Feminine form, can be informal or slightly pejorative.
Examples:
| Base Noun | Augmentative Form | Meaning | Base Noun | Augmentative Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| maison | mais on | big house (but more often just 'house') | femme | femm asse | big/fat woman (informal, can be rude) |
| chat | chat ard | big/boisterous cat (familiar tone) | bal | bal aud | big/exaggerated ball/dance |
| livre | livr on | big book | tavern | tavern asse | large/rough tavern (informal) |
Usage Notes
- Some augmentatives have a casual, familiar, or even slightly negative connotation (e.g., femmasse, chatard).
- These forms are less common and more stylistic compared to diminutives.
- The meaning often depends on context and tone.
Translate: “She’s a big, strong woman.” French sentence: “C’est une ______ grande et forte.” (Use an augmentative suffix; be aware of tone.)
femmasse
The augmentative suffix -asse forms "femmasse" from "femme," implying a big or stout woman. It can be informal or slightly pejorative.
Examples in Context
| Sentence in French | English Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| J’ai vu une maisonnette dans la forêt. | I saw a little house in the forest. | maisonnette = small/precious house |
| Regarde ce chaton, il est adorable ! | Look at this kitten, he’s adorable! | chaton = kitten |
| Ils habitent dans un mas énorme. | They live in a huge farmhouse. | énorme (adj) more common than augmentative suffix |
| Ce gars est un fêtard toute la nuit. | That guy is a party animal all night. | fêtard (from noun + -ard) = party animal |
Summary
- Diminutives in French are formed with suffixes like -ette, -et, -elle, -on, conveying smallness or affection.
- Augmentatives use suffixes like -on, -ard, -aud, -asse to express bigness, intensity, or exaggeration.
- These forms modify nouns but the original gender stays the same.
- Context is key: diminutives usually soften or endear, augmentatives can emphasize size or add a familiar/colloquial edge.
Do diminutive and augmentative suffixes change the gender of the original noun in French?
No, the original gender remains the same.
Both diminutive and augmentative suffixes preserve the original noun’s gender—masculine stay masculine, feminine stay feminine—though the meaning shifts.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- Meaning: maisonnette = small/precious house
- English Translation: I saw a little house in the forest.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
