Translation guide
A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function. In Japanese, suffixes (接尾辞) are extremely common and attach to nouns, adjectives, or verb stems to form new words, express politeness, indicate plurality, or show respect. This guide covers how to express the concept of 'suffix' in Japanese, as well as common Japanese suffixes that English speakers may need to understand or use.
suffix (linguistic term)
Technical term used in linguistics.
suffix (general, word ending)
Commonly used to refer to word endings, including inflectional endings.
The learner wants to know the Japanese word for the grammatical concept of a suffix.
The learner wants to refer to the ending part of a word, which may include inflectional endings, not just derivational suffixes.
Refers to the ending of a word, including conjugational endings. More general than 接尾辞.
The learner wants to understand and use typical Japanese suffixes attached to names or nouns referring to people.
Mr./Ms. Tanaka · teacher · doctor
Japanese uses suffixes like 〜さん, 〜様, 〜先生, etc., attached to names to show respect or relationship. These are not separate words but bound morphemes.
The learner wants to know how suffixes can turn nouns into adjectives, verbs into nouns, etc.
-ness · -able · -tion
The learner wants to express plurality using suffixes, as Japanese usually does not mark plural.
friends · children · we
The learner wants to know about suffixes used with numbers to count objects.
three sheets of paper · two dogs
The loanword サフィックス is rarely used in Japanese. Use 接尾辞 or 語尾 instead.
In Japanese, suffixes like 〜さん or 〜的 are bound morphemes and cannot stand alone. They must attach to a noun or stem.
この接尾語は名詞に付きます。
This suffix attaches to nouns.
The ending of the verb changes.
田中さんに会いました。
I met Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
Dr. Yamada is kind.
Suffix meaning 'person who does ~', similar to '-er' or '-ist' in English. Attaches to nouns or verb stems.
He is a doctor.
Suffix meaning 'person from ~' (nationality, origin).
I am Japanese.
That is an economic problem.
Suffix meaning '-ization' or '-ify', turns nouns into suru-verbs meaning 'to make ~' or 'to become ~'.
I want to automate this task.
Turns i-adjectives into nouns expressing degree or '-ness'. Similar to 〜み but more objective.
How high is this mountain?
Suffix meaning '-ity', '-ness', or 'property of'. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
Please check the safety.
I watched a movie with my friends.
More formal or literary plural suffix, can be used for people or things. Often written in kanji.
They are students.
Used specifically for children or young people, often in a humble or affectionate way.
Our children are energetic.
Please give me three sheets of paper.
There are two dogs.