👉 What are Spanish diminutives? How to use them?
– Spanish Grammar Basics for Beginners –
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Diminutives are used a lot in Spanish. They are used to reinforce the meaning of the word, to give an affective value or even to reinforce an idea of smallness. Some diminutives also have a pejorative value.
I. Formation of diminutives
* For words ending in -O or -A (and words of more than two syllables ending in -E), the suffix, -ito or -ita, is added after the final vowel has been removed.
Example : Gato (Cat) ==> Gatito ; Perro (Dog) ==> Perrito
* For words ending in a consonant (except R and N), the suffix (-ito/-ita) is added directly.
Example : Arbol (Tree) ==> Arbolito ; Papel (paper) ==> Papelito
* For words ending in N or R, the suffix -cito / -cita is added
Example : Amor (Love) ==> Amorcito ; Mujer (Woman) ==> Mujercita
* For words of one or two syllables ending in -E, we add the suffix -cito / -cita
Example : Cofre (Chest/Box) ==> Cofrecito ; Llave (key) ==> LLavecita
* For words composed of only one syllable, we add the suffix -ecito (masculine) or -ecita (feminine)
Example : Una flor (a flower) ==> Una florecita ; Un pan (a bread) ==> Un panecito
N.B : There are many exceptions to these rules, which can only be determined by use.
II. Remarks
* For words ending in -Z, the final -z becomes -c
Example : Actriz ==> Actrecita
* For words ending with the /k sound, a spelling change is usually made to preserve the pronunciation.
Example : Poco ==> Poquito
* Sometimes the use of diminutives changes the meaning of the word.
Example : Paño (sheet) ==> Un pañuelo (a handkerchief) ; una capa (a layer) ==> una capilla (a chapel)
- There are other diminutives ending in –iño, -iña, -eto, –eto, -illo, or –illa, etc. These are rare and vary greatly by region.
For example, the suffixes -illo and -illa are very common in Andalusia: chica (girl) ==> chiquilla (little girl). Be careful because they can also have a pejorative value: una mujer (a woman) ==> mujercilla (a slut).
III. Use of diminutives
* Used with a noun, the diminutive reinforces the idea of smallness or is used to talk about someone in an affectionate way.
Example :
– Mi casa (Ma maison) ==> Mi casita (my little house, my home).
– Mi Abuelo (Mon grand-père) ==> Mi abuelito (reinforced emotional sense).
* When used with an adjective or adverb, the diminutive reinforces their meaning.
Example:
– Despacio (slowly) ==> Despacito (Very slowly).
– Callada (Quietly) ==> Calladita (Very quiet).
IV. Diminutives with a pejorative value
The diminutives built with the suffix -ucho (masculine) or -ucha (feminine) have a pejorative connotation.
Example : Casa (House) ==> Casucha (Slums) ; Medico (Doctor) ==> Medicucho (Charlatan)
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