Adjectives qualify or limit (add details) to Nouns
Adverbs qualify or limit a verb (also adverbs and adverbs) . Adverbs express place, time, manner, circumstance, cause, interference, purpose, means, degree,etc.
In the phrase, "The red apple", the adjective red adds detail to our picture of the apple. In the phrase the mishapened, unevenly ripened, half-green red apple, -------.
Eventually, each item below will link to a page of explanation, examples, and exercises. The brief summaries below are incomplete and may be slightly misleading. Therefore, you should follow the link for each. If you find errors please send a correction to the page editor.
-artig added as a suffix to nouns and adjectives indicates a resemblance to that which is indicated by the stem. der Berg = mountain; bergartig = mountain-like NOT READY
-bar means capable of receiving the action denoted by the stem like the English -ible or -able. lesen = to read; lesbar = legible. NOT READY
-en (=n after er) and ern are affixed to names of materials to denote "made of" that which is mentioned: die Wolle = wool => wollen= woolen.
-erlei forms indeclinable adjectives denoting the number of kinds: einerlei = one of a kind.
-fach corresponds to the English "fold" in twofold: ein + fach => einfach = onefold
-haft frequently added to nouns. inclining toward. Fehler + haft => fehlerhaft = erroneous
-ig cognate with y in hungry; affixed to nouns, sometimes to verb stems andadverbs, seldom to adjectives.
-ifch cognate with ish in childish. mostly affixed to nouns denotes belonging to, etc see subpage.
-lich cognate with ly in friendly. Affixed to nouns to correspond to English ly, out, or ful.
-mal means time(s) to form iterative adverbs: ein = one => einmal = once
-sam cognate with some in winsome. Denotes "an inclination toward."
erz- prefixed to adjectives; has intensifying effect. dumm = stupid => erzdumm = very dumm
un- denotes opposite meaning of stem. dankbar = grateful => undankbar = ungrateful
ur- used with nouns and adjectives alt = old => uralt = very ancient
Suggestions, corrections, and comments are appreciated: Contact Harold Eddleman indbio@disknet.com