French suffixes are word endings that modify the meaning or grammatical function of a base word, used to form new words, indicate parts of speech, or express grammatical relationships.
French suffixes are endings added to the base form of a word (usually a root or a stem) to create a new word or change the word’s grammatical role. They can indicate things like part of speech (noun, adjective, verb, etc.), gender, number, diminutive form, or express abstract concepts. Understanding suffixes helps in building vocabulary and recognizing word meanings more intuitively.
Types of Suffixes
French suffixes can be broadly categorized based on the type of word they form:
- Noun suffixes: Create nouns, often from other nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
- Adjective suffixes: Form adjectives, typically from nouns or verbs.
- Verb suffixes: Form verbs, usually from nouns or adjectives.
- Other suffixes: Include diminutives, augmentatives, or miscellaneous forms.
Common French Suffixes
Here are some of the most frequent and productive French suffixes, along with examples:
Noun Suffixes
Suffix | Meaning/Function | Example (French) | Example (English) | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
-tion | Abstract noun, often from verbs | création | creation | Very common; from Latin -tion
-ment | Abstract noun, result or means | mouvement | movement | Often from verb stems
-eur / -euse | Agent noun (person who...) | chanteur / chanteuse | singer (m/f) | Masc. -eur, Fem. -euse
-ist(e) | Person associated with... | artiste | artist | Masc. and Fem. often -iste
-age | Result, collection, or place | fromage | cheese | Also forms collective nouns
-erie | Place or trade | boulangerie | bakery | Often denotes shops or trades
-ière | Feminine form or place | fermière | female farmer | Also place names (e.g., laitière)
-ette | Diminutive or feminine | maisonnette | small house | Also feminizes some nouns
-ie | Abstract noun, quality, or place | magie | magic | Also names of sciences (e.g., biologie)
Adjective Suffixes
Suffix | Meaning/Function | Example (French) | Example (English) | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
-al(e) | Pertaining to ... | national(e) | national | Masc. -al, Fem. -ale
-ique | Pertaining to ... | magique | magical | Often borrowed via Latin/Greek
-eux / -euse | Full of ..., having ... | heureux / heureuse | happy | Masc. -eux, Fem. -euse
-if / -ive | Tending to ... | actif / active | active | Masc. -if, Fem. -ive
-ible | Capable of ... | possible | possible | Often from Latin
-ain / -aine | Pertaining to ... | urbain / urbaine | urban | Masc. / Fem. pairs
-ois / -oise | Origin or relation | français / française | French | Masc. / Fem. pairs
Verb Suffixes
Suffix | Meaning/Function | Example (French) | Example (English) | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
-er | Infinitive (1st group) | parler | to speak | Most regular verbs
-ir | Infinitive (2nd group) | finir | to finish | Regular 2nd group verbs
-re | Infinitive (3rd group) | vendre | to sell | Many irregular verbs
-iser | To make or become ... | organiser | to organize | Often from nouns/adjectives
-ifier | To make ... | clarifier | to clarify | Usually Latinate
-er (verb form) | Form verbs from nouns/adjs | boulanger | to bake | Can be agent or action
Other Suffixes
Suffix | Meaning/Function | Example (French) | Example (English) | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
-ette | Diminutive or feminine | kitchenette | small kitchen | Also feminizes nouns
-on | Diminutive or pejorative | maison (little house) | house | Sometimes pejorative
-in / -ine | Diminutive or name | marin / marine | sailor | Also used in personal names
-ouille | Pejorative or diminutive | grenouille | frog | Common in colloquial terms
Examples in Context
Here are some common base words transformed with different suffixes:
| Base | Noun | Adjective | Verb | Meaning Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| créer (to create) | création | — | créer | création* (noun) from verb stem |
| chanter (to sing) | chanteur / chanteuse | — | chanter | Agent noun from verb |
| art | artiste | artistique | — | artiste (noun), artistique* (adj.) |
| naturel | naturalité | naturel / naturelle | naturaliser | from adjective + verb |
| science | science | scientifique | — | scientifique* (adj./noun) |
| moi | moi | — | se moquer | Reflexive verb from pronoun |
How to Use This Guide
- Look up a word’s suffix to understand its role.
- Use suffixes to form new words confidently.
- Recognize patterns to improve reading and listening comprehension.
- Be aware that some suffixes require spelling adjustments (e.g., doubling consonants, changing -c to -qu-).
Understanding French suffixes is a powerful step toward mastering vocabulary and grammar. It reveals the logic behind word formation and helps you decode unfamiliar words with ease.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
