CHAPTER XIV

ETYMOLOGY

New words are formed in two ways:—

(_a_) By means of suffixes called _formatives_.

(_b_) By putting two or more words together.

Those of the first class are called _derivatives_, and those of the second class _compounds_.

A derivative may take a further formative, in which case the derivative is called the primitive of the new word. In the following example each preceding word is the primitive or stem of the following derivative:—

harc (substantive), battle. harc-i (adjective), pertaining to battle. harci-as (adjective), brave, warlike. harcias-kod (ni) (verb), to act in a warlike way. harciaskod-ás (abstract noun), the state of being at war. harciaskodás-i (adjective), pertaining to warlike behaviour.

This example shows how rich the Hungarian language is in its capacity for forming words and expressing the finer shades of meaning.

The principal formatives only are here given:—

I. _Substantives are formed_—

(_a_) By adding =-ság=, =-ség= to adjectives.

jó=-ság=, goodness; szép=-ség=, beauty.

(_b_) By adding =-ás=, =-és= to verbs.

vág=-ás=, the act of cutting; fest=-és=, the act of painting.

(_c_) By adding =-as=, =-es=, =-os=, =-ár=, =-ér= to substantives.

asztal, table; asztal=-os=, joiner. kés, knife; kés=-es=, cutler. kád, tub; kád=-ár=, cooper.

(_d_) All present participles may be used as substantives.

olvasó, reader; arató, reaper.

(_e_) Diminutives of substantives are formed by adding =-ka=, =-ke=, =ocska=, =ecske=, &c.

leány=-ka=, a little girl; ablak=-ocska=, a small window.

II. _Adjectives are formed by adding_—

(_a_) =-as=, =-os=, =-es=, =-ös= to substantives.

máz, enamel; máz=-as=, enamelled. arany, gold; arany=-os=, golden. hely, place; hely=-es=, proper. köd, fog; köd=-ös=, foggy.

(_b_) =-talan= or =-telen= to substantives, creating negatives.

hely=-telen=, improper. virág=-talan=, without flowers.

(_c_) =-i=, especially to names of places.

budapest=-i=, of or pertaining to Budapest. ház=-i=, domestic.

(_d_) Diminutives are formed by adding =-s= to adjectives ending with a vowel, or =-es=, =-ás=, =-os= to those ending with a consonant.

sárga, yellow; sárgá=-s=, yellowish. öreg, old; öreg=-es=, elderly.

III. _Verbs are formed by adding_—

=-al=, =-ol=, =-el=, =-oz=, =-ez= to substantives.

ház, house; ház=-al= (ni),[10] to peddle. dal, song; dal=-ol= (ni), to sing. tél, winter; tel=-el= (ni), to pass the winter. szalag, ribbon; szalag=-oz= (ni), to adorn with ribbons.

FOOTNOTES:

[10] ni is merely the infinitive ending.