Italian modifying suffixes (diminutives, ...)

Modifying suffixes in Italian

In Italian we can use suffixes to add new meanings to the original word.
These constructions are used in informal contexts only.

We can distinguish between four different classes of altered nouns:

• Diminutivi (diminutives)
• Vezzeggiativi (terms of endearment)
• Accrescitivi (augmentatives)
• Dispregiativi (pejoratives)

Diminutivi (Italian diminutives)

This kind of modification conveys the idea of smallness.
These constructions are pretty common in baby talk.

• Guarda quella stellina in cielo! (Look at that little star in the sky!)
• Una famosa canzone dice "C'era una casetta piccolina in Canada". (A famous song goes "There was a tiny little house in Canada".)
• Nel presepe c'è un asinello. (There is a little donkey in the Nativity scene.)
• È possibile avere uno sconticino sul prezzo finale? (Is it possible to get a little discount on the final price?)
• Nell'acquario ci sono due pesciolini rossi. (There are two little goldfishes in the acquarium.)

Vezzeggiativi (Italian terms of endearment)

Vezzeggiativi convey the idea of tenderness, sympathy and also smallness.
This kind of altered nouns is typical for baby talk.

• C'era un lettuccio sulla destra e un armadio sulla sinistra.
  (There were a little bed on the right and a closet on the left.)
• I miei nonni abitavano nella viuzza che arriva fino in piazza.
  (My grandparents lived in the small street that leads to the square.)
• Il quokka è una bestiola che vive in Australia occidentale.
  (The quokka is a little critter that lives in Western Australia.)
• L'orsacchiotto che avevo quando ero piccolo si chiamava Chicco.
  (The teddy bear I had when I was a child was called Chicco.)
• Marco è molto dolce con la sua ragazza: la chiama sempre "mogliettina" anche se non sono ancora sposati.
  (Marco is very sweet towards his girlfriend: he always call her his "wifey" even though they aren't married yet.)

Accrescitivi (Italian augmentatives)

This kind of nouns conveys a sense of bigness in size.

• Quella casona mi mette paura.
  (That big house makes me afraid.)

• Devo studiare questo librone per l'esame!
  (I have to study this enormous book for the exam!)

• La tua è proprio una manona!
  (Yours is a really big hand!)

Dispregiativi (Italian pejoratives)

This kind of suffixes expresses a sense of contempt and dislike.

Depending on the context, the suffix -astro can also lose its negative connotation.

• Non vuoi mica indossare quel cappellaccio?
  (You aren't going to wear that hideous hat, are you?)
• Chi è questo poetastro?
  (Who is this miserable poet?)
• Credo che sia una ideaccia. 
  (I think it's a terrible idea.)

Combination of suffixes

Modifying suffixes can be combined to mix different meanings, but only in informal contexts.

Exceptions

False alterates

A lot of words look like alterates, but they are not.

Changes in gender

Other than the meaning, in some cases suffixes can also change the gender of the original word.