Chinese prefixes and suffixes are attached to root words to alter their meaning or grammatical function. They play a vital role in word formation, helping to create new words or variations of existing words. The addition of prefixes and suffixes can significantly change the meaning or category of a word. Suffixes like “-子 (zi)”, “-化 (huà)”, and “-性 (xìng)” are widely utilized. “-子” often nominalizes a word, while “-化” indicates a process or change, and “-性” signifies a quality or characteristic.
For Chinese learners, familiarizing yourself with common prefixes and suffixes is a strategic way to expand your vocabulary and understand the structure of more complex words.