-z-

Portuguese

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /z/

Interfix

-z-

  1. used when an entire word, rather than the word’s stem, is connected to a suffix that begins with a vowel
    jacaré + -z- + -inhojacarezinho
    coração + -z- + -inhocoraçãozinho

Usage notes

Situations where the whole word, rather than the stem, is suffixed include:

  • words ending in a stressed vowel: jacaréjacarezinho; sozinho; baúbauzinho
  • words ending in a nasal vowel or diphthong: coraçãocoraçãozinho; mãemãezona; umunzão. However, these are often handled differently:
    • especially in more formal words, and especially those containing the suffix -ção, the interfix -n- is used instead, and an etymological stem is used: cançãocancioneiro, mãomanusca
    • especially in words inherited from Old Portuguese, the word is denasalised and the etymological vowel is used: bênçãoabençoar
    • rarely, the consonant of the diphthong is lost: mãemãinha
  • words ending in R or L usually take this interfix, but occasionally the suffix is attached to the word directly: parparzinho, melmelzinho but marmarola, salsaleiro
  • words ending in a diphthong: paupauzinho. Sometimes an etymological stem is used: paupalito
  • words ending in a hiatus (usually): incêndioincendiozinho.
  • very rarely, words ending in an unstressed, oral vowel: casacasazinha
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.