Spanish Augmentatives

Augmentatives are suffixes added to nouns (and sometimes adjectives).
  • They convey the idea of making something bigger or more intense.
  • They can also add emotional layers like admiration, emphasis, or harshness.
  • The base meaning of the word remains, but with a twist of exaggeration or increased magnitude.

Key Augmentatives

Examples

Formation

  • Augmentatives follow the gender rules of the original noun.
  • Example:casaโ†’casona(feminine),perroโ†’perrote(masculine).
  • Plurals are formed normally:casonas, perrotes.

Nuances

  • Not all augmentatives simply mean "bigger."
  • Context and tone are crucial for correct interpretation.

Summary

  • Spanish augmentatives modify the meaning of nouns by adding the idea of increased size or intensity.
  • They are formed by adding suffixes like-รณn,-ote,-azo,-udo, among others.
  • Augmentatives can also carry emotional or expressive nuances beyond literal size.
  • Always consider the cultural and contextual background when using augmentatives.

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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025