Noun-forming suffixes
These suffixes are added at the end of a word to form a new word. Let's look at the most commonly used suffixes.
子
子 
is the most commonly used suffix.
is the most commonly used suffix.The main function of 子 is to transform one-syllable nouns into two-syllable nouns.
椅 — 椅子
裤 — 裤子
刀 — 刀子
— 椅子
裤 — 裤子
刀 — 刀子 Pay attention
In Chinese, two-syllable words are most commonly used. Thus, it is possible to avoid homonymy. Homonymy means that one syllable has more than one meaning.
You can use 子 to transform an adjective into a noun.These words usually have a derogatory connotation or a touch of irony.
胖 — 胖子
瞎 — 瞎子
疯 — 疯子
— 胖子
瞎 — 瞎子
疯 — 疯子 You can also use 子 to address someone by their first or last name.
For example, if the name is 金龙 , you can add 子 when addressing this person: 金子 addresses him by his surname and 龙子 addresses him by his first name.
, you can add 子 when addressing this person: 金子 addresses him by his surname and 龙子 addresses him by his first name.Examples
小龙子，吃饭了吗？
Xiao Longzi, have you eaten yet?
xiǎo lóngzi, chīfàn le ma
家
The suffix 家 is used to form nouns that denote a profession or a field:
作家
画家
政治家
is used to form nouns that denote a profession or a field:
作家
画家
政治家 家 is also used to form the plural of nouns:
咱家
女人家
孩子家
人家
女人家
孩子家
人家 员
The profession is also indicated by the suffix 员 :
服务员
售货员
炊事员
:
服务员
售货员
炊事员 员 is also used to form nouns denoting committee members, members of society and staff members:
国会会员
官员
生员
官员
生员 者
The suffix 者 is used to form nouns with the meaning "a person who...":
后 — 后者
消费 — 消费者
失败 — 失败者
is used to form nouns with the meaning "a person who...":
后 — 后者
消费 — 消费者
失败 — 失败者 Some job titles are formed in the following way:
记者
编者
编者 The suffix 者 is also used to form some adverbs of time.
For example, 今者 .
.头
The suffix 头 is used to form nouns that usually denote rounded or cylindrical objects:
木头
石头
拳头
is used to form nouns that usually denote rounded or cylindrical objects:
木头
石头
拳头 Pay attention
This suffix is derived from the noun 头 .
.
头 is used to form some adjectives that mean disapproval or contempt for someone:
老实头
滑头
滑头 If 头 is placed after last names and combined with the word 老 . This expresses respect and love. For example:
老张头
老叶头
. This expresses respect and love. For example:
老张头
老叶头 If a word is derived from a verb, 头 means that the action is really worth doing.
In this case, the suffix 儿 is often placed after 头:
is often placed after 头:Examples
有看头儿
it’s worth watching
yǒu kàn tóur
没有讲头儿
there is nothing to talk about
méi yǒu jiǎng tóur
头 is used to form nouns meaning time and place:
年头
钟头
前头
上头
钟头
前头
上头 巴
The suffix 巴 is used to form only a few nouns. These nouns most often denote the protruding parts of the human or animal body:
下巴
尾巴
嘴巴
is used to form only a few nouns. These nouns most often denote the protruding parts of the human or animal body:
下巴
尾巴
嘴巴 It is also used to form a small amount of unrelated words:
泥巴
干巴
淋巴
干巴
淋巴