巴西葡萄牙语常见后缀

Common Suffixes

As you learn to decipher words in Portuguese, some “clues” may help you along the way. Pay attention to the endings of words and related them to corresponding endings in English. This technique makes your life easier when learning new words, and it will help you guess the meaning of words, as well as their grammatical class.

Common Suffixes and Their Meanings

(pertaining or related to; an extension of; a place)

(having the ability or aptitude to or capacity of)

Suffix Meaning

— al

fenomenal phenomenal, pertaining to a phenomenon

bambuzal plantation of bamboo trees

usual usual, or an extension of use —ável/ —ível

adorável adorable, capable of being adored

conversível convertible, capable of being converted

— or (agents that are or do;

abstractions)

inventor inventor, one who invents

amor love, abstract noun

These endings are referred to as suffixes. These suffixes often enlighten you as to the meanings of the words. A complete list of examples would be too long, but here are a few:

Portuguese Cognates with Suffixes —ável/ —ível, — al, and — or

—ável/ —ível— al — or

acessível abdominal ardor

—ável/ —ível— al — or

biodegradável cordial destruidor compreensível emocional fervor

Portuguese Cognates with Suffixes —ável/ —ível, — al, and — or

—ável/ —ível— al — or

durável federal instrutor

evitável fundamental mentor

falsificável ilegal pastor

incomparável nacional professor

lamentável normal protetor

miserável oficial refletor

negociável original rumor

There are also other types of cognates that are similar to English, though not identical:

Suffixes Similar to English

(pertaining to, particularly broadened to a collection; similar to English “ —age”)

(pertaining to origin, location; relating to beliefs and affiliations; similar t o English “ —an”)

(related to an event, the nature of, or an agent; similar to “ —ant” and “ —ing” in English)

Portuguese Example English Translation — agem

bagagem baggage, luggage — ano/ — ana

americano American republicano Republican

— ante/ — ente

acidente accident, an

unexpected event

importante important, something of great effect

potente potent, of powerful nature

presidente president, one who presides

—ção/ —são (abstraction of an act or state of

being; similar to the Eng lish “ —tion” and “ —

sion”)

atenção attention

informação information

—ico/ —ica (relating to; being similar to; similar

to the English “ —ic” and “ —al”)

físico physical, physicist idêntico identical

— ista (pertaining to one who does; similar to

English “ —ist”)

artista artist, one who creates art

ciclista cyclist, one who rides a bicycle

— oso/ — osa (relating to possession or

characteristic; similar to English “ —ous,” “ —

ful,” and “ —y”)

curioso curious famoso famous

— ura (abstraction of an act or state of being;

similar to English “ —ture,” “ —ure,” and “ —

ness”)

criatura creature cultura culture —ário/ —ária (pertaining to the subject; relating

to an act or thing; similar to English “ —ary”)

milionário millionaire

voluntário voluntary, volunteer

— ncia (relating to an act or state; result of an