[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

Translingual

edit

Etymology

edit

From Latin -a.

Suffix

edit

-a

  1. Used to create genus names from proper nouns
  2. Used to take the form of certain plural Latin-derived taxonomic names

Derived terms

edit

English

edit

Etymology 1

edit

From the homographic case endings of the nominative, accusative, and vocative forms of numerous Latin neuter second declension nouns.

Pronunciation

edit
  • Audio (US):(file)

Suffix

edit

-a

  1. plural of -um
  2. plural of -on
Usage notes
edit
  • Whereas the regular pluralization in English involves adding -s or -es, English words derived from a Latin/Greek etymon where the Latin/Greek would pluralize from -on (Greek) or -um (Latin) to -a do not always do so. Usage of -a instead of -s differs between words: sometimes the two are interchangeable (e.g. memorandums/memoranda, polyhedrons/polyhedra), sometimes one is far more common than the other (e.g. neurons over neura, automata over automatons), and sometimes one is completely absent from usage (e.g. bacteria over bacteriums, dendrons over dendra)
  • The word data is etymologically the plural of datum but is commonly regarded as an uncountable noun.
Derived terms
edit
From -um
From -on
Translations
edit
See also
edit
associated suffixes

Etymology 2

edit

Representing the nominative singular case ending of Latin first-declension feminine nouns.

Pronunciation

edit

Suffix

edit

-a (plural -ae or )

  1. Marks singular nouns, with a foundation in Greek or Latin, often implying femininity, especially when contrasted with words terminating in -us.
Synonyms
edit
Antonyms
edit
  • (antonym(s) of feminine suffix): he-
Derived terms
edit

Etymology 3

edit

From Latin -a.

Pronunciation

edit

Suffix

edit

-a

  1. Changes an element or substance into an oxide.
    magnesium + ‎-a → ‎magnesia

Etymology 4

edit

    Shortened form of verb have.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (slang) Alternative form of 've

    Etymology 5

    edit

    Equivalent to Etymology 2, representing Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish feminine nouns.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Marks nouns, with a foundation in Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese, implying femininity.
    Synonyms
    edit
    Antonyms
    edit
    • (antonym(s) of female suffix): he-

    Etymology 6

    edit

    Added especially for metrical reasons, or as an empty filler syllable. Also used to imitate an Italian accent.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Added for metrical reasons to songs, poetry and verse, or as an empty filler syllable to other speech.
      • c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
        A merry heart goes all the day
        Your sad tires in a mile-a
      • 1936 July 18, Leon Schlesinger (producer) / Norman Spencer (music), I Love to Singa:
        I love to sing-a / about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a, / I love to sing-a / about a sky of blue-a, or a tea for two-a.
      • 1980s, “Wanna”, in Herb Owen (music), Kids Sing Praise[3], performed by Kids Sing Praise:
        I wanna wanna wanna wanna wanna wanna really wanna be just like the Lord
        So every day Im gonna gonna read the Book and rest upon-a God's own holy Word
        Of good in me there's none-a none-a that's okay because I'm gonna trust upon the work that's done-a on the Cross
        and Jesus is the one-a one-a God the Father's Son-a Son-a and my sin He cures!
      • 1981, Colin Hay, Ron Strykert, performed by Men At Work, Down Under:
        Buying bread from a man in Brussels
        He was six-foot-four and full of muscle
        I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"
        He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich []
      • 2014, Don Pendleton, California Hit, Open Road Media, →ISBN:
        "I'm-a tell-a you why you better be. I named you in my will, Franco."
    Alternative forms
    edit

    Etymology 7

    edit

    Shortened version of preposition of.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (slang) Clitic form of o' (contraction of of).
      buncha, cuppa, kinda, loadsa, lotta, sorta

    Etymology 8

    edit

    Shortened version of verb to.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (informal) to (infinitive marker)

    Etymology 9

    edit

    Shortened version of verb do.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (informal) do (infinitive marker)
      • 1988, Living Colour (lyrics and music), “Funny Vibe”, Epic:
        Yeah, Flav, I'm tired of them dissing brothers in the P.E. out there, we got to do something about this/(What-a we do? What-a we do?)

    See also

    edit
    • -er (which, in various non-rhotic dialects, reduces to -a, e.g. fatha, burna), compare -z

    References

    edit

    Albanian

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    Related to e (of, the, to) and -e.

    Article

    edit

    -a f

    1. feminine singular nominative suffixed definite article. the
      Coordinate terms: (masculine) -i, -u, (plural and neuter) -të
      ditë f (day) + ‎-a → ‎dita (the day)
      natë f (night) + ‎-a → ‎nata (the night)

    Etymology 2

    edit

    (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. forms the plural forms for many nouns. -s
      burrë m (man) + ‎-a → ‎burra (men)
      vetull f (eyebrow) + ‎-a → ‎vetulla (eyebrows)

    Basque

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Absolutive singular suffix.
      Liburua ekarri al duzu?Did you bring the book?
    Usage notes
    edit
    • The suffix -a is usually described as an article. However, its usage is not equivalent to that of English the or a. In Basque, every nominal phrase must carry a determiner, which usually takes the final position in the phrase. Although many others exist, -a is the default determiner which introduces no additional meaning. Compare the following sentences. In the first two, the determiners (-a and hau (this)) apply to the noun phrase etxe handi (big house); while in the last two they apply separately to etxe (house) and handi (big):
      Etxe handia da.It is a big house.
      Etxe handi hau da.It is this big house.
      Etxea handia da.The house is big.
      Etxe hau handia da.This house is big.
    • In Standard Basque, nouns ending in -a in their indefinite form (known in Basque as a itsatsia (literally attached a)) don't change when the article is added:
      neska + ‎-a → ‎neska
    Declension
    edit
    Basque inflectional suffixes
    indefinite singular plural proximal plural
    absolutive -∅ -a -ak -ok
    ergative -(e)k -ak -ek
    dative -(r)i -ari -ei -oi
    genitive -(r)en -aren -en -on
    comitative -(r)ekin -arekin -ekin -okin
    causative -(r)engatik -arengatik -engatik -ongatik
    benefactive -(r)entzat -arentzat -entzat -ontzat
    instrumental -(e)z -az -ez -oz
    inessive anim. -(r)engan -arengan -engan -ongan
    inanim. -(e)tan -an -etan -otan
    locative anim.
    inanim. -(e)tako -(e)ko -etako -otako
    allative anim. -(r)engana -arengana -engana -ongana
    inanim. -(e)tara -(e)ra -etara -otara
    terminative anim. -(r)enganaino -arenganaino -enganaino -onganaino
    inanim. -(e)taraino -(e)raino -etaraino -otaraino
    directive anim. -(r)enganantz -arenganantz -enganantz -onganantz
    inanim. -(e)tarantz -(e)rantz -etarantz -otarantz
    destinative anim. -(r)enganako -arenganako -enganako -onganako
    inanim. -(e)tarako -(e)rako -etarako -otarako
    ablative anim. -(r)engandik -arengandik -engandik -ongandik
    inanim. -(e)tatik -(e)tik -etik -otik
    partitive -(r)ik
    prolative -tzat

    Further reading

    edit

    Etymology 2

    edit

    Particle

    edit

    -a

    1. (Navarro-Lapurdian) Used to form yes/no questions.
      Liburua ekarri duzuia?Did you bring the book?
    Usage notes
    edit
    • It takes different forms depending on the ending of the verb:
      -a + ‎-a → ‎-ea
      -e + ‎-a → ‎-ea
      -o + ‎-a → ‎-oa, -oia
      -u + ‎-a → ‎-uia, -ia
    • Other dialects use the unrelated particle al.

    Further reading

    edit

    Czech

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a m anim (noun-forming suffix)

    1. forms agent nouns referring to male people
      posrat (to shit oneself) + ‎-a → ‎posera (coward)
      nafouknout (to inflate, to blow up) + ‎-a → ‎náfuka (bighead, conceited person)

    Suffix

    edit

    -a f (noun-forming suffix)

    1. forms nouns referring to results of processes
      radit (to advise) + ‎-a → ‎rada (advise, counsel)
      naladit (to tune in) + ‎-a → ‎nálada (mood)

    Derived terms

    edit

    Further reading

    edit
    • -a in Slovník afixů užívaných v češtině, 2017

    Dutch

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. plural of -um
      Synonym: -ums
    2. feminine of -us

    Esperanto

    edit

    Etymology

    edit

    From feminine singular adjectives (and nouns) of the Romance languages, such as French ma, Italian mia, Spanish mía, fría.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Related to, in the manner of, of. Ending for all adjectives in Esperanto.
      belo (beauty) + ‎-a → ‎bela (beautiful)
      dekstro (the right direction) (as opposed to left) + ‎-a → ‎dekstra (to the right)
      vero (truth) + ‎-a → ‎vera (true)
    2. Belonging to, of. Ending for all possessive pronouns in Esperanto.
      mi (I; me) + ‎-a → ‎mia (of me, my)
      vi (you) + ‎-a → ‎via (of you, your)
      ili (they; them) + ‎-a → ‎ilia (of them, their)
    3. Used to form the ordinal numeral.
      unu (one) + ‎-a → ‎unua (first)
      du (two) + ‎-a → ‎dua (second)
      dek tri (thirteen) + ‎-a → ‎dek-tria (thirteenth)
      cent (hundred) + ‎-a → ‎centa (hundredth)
    4. -kind of. Ending of all correlatives of kind in Esperanto.
      ki- + ‎-a → ‎kia (what kind of)
      ti- + ‎-a → ‎tia (that kind of)
      neni- + ‎-a → ‎nenia (no kind of)

    Derived terms

    edit
    Ending for all adjectives.
    Ending for all possessive pronouns in Esperanto.
    Ending of all ordinal numerals in Esperanto.
    Ending of all correlatives of kind in Esperanto.

    Faroese

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Used to form verbs from nouns.
      týskur (a German) + ‎-a → ‎týska (Germanize)
    2. Used to form adverbs from adjectives.
      illur (bad) + ‎-a → ‎illa (badly)

    Finnish

    edit

    Alternative forms

    edit
    • (in words with front vowel harmony)

    Etymology 1

    edit

    From Proto-Finnic *-da (variant of *-ta, whence -ta), from the Proto-Uralic ablative case *-ta.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (front vowel harmony variant , linguistic notation -A)

    1. (case suffix) Forms the partitive case of nouns, adjectives, numbers and some pronouns.
    Usage notes
    edit

    Etymology 2

    edit

    From Proto-Finnic *-dak.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (front vowel harmony variant , linguistic notation -A)

    1. (verbal suffix) Forms the short form of the first infinitive of verbs.
    Usage notes
    edit
    • The first infinitive, short form, is the citation form of verbs.

    See also

    edit

    French

    edit

    Etymology

    edit

    From Latin -āt, short counterpart to -āvit.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. forms the third-person singular past historic of -er verbs

    Garo

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. neutral, unmarked tense-aspect marker

    Usage notes

    edit

    In addition to present time, it often shows habitual action, and can also past and future

    Gothic

    edit

    Romanization

    edit

    -a

    1. Romanization of -𐌰

    Hungarian

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    From the *sᴕ̈ third-person personal pronoun of the ancestor language after it was appended to the word of possession. According to some linguists this attachment happened in the Proto-Uralic era, while others think it happened much later when the Hungarian language became independent.[1]

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Possessive (and genitive) suffix: [from 1055]
      1. (with no possessor or with the 3rd‑person pronoun as possessor, usually construed with the definite article) hisherits …
        ház(a) háza, az ő háza (his/her/its house)élet(az) élete, az ő élete (his/her/its life)barát(a) barátja (his/her/its friend)kapu(a) kapuja (his/her/its gate)palota(a) palotája (his/her/its palace)kert(a) kertje (his/her/its garden)betű(a) betűje (his/her/its letter)vese(a) veséje (his/her/its kidney)
      2. (with a singular possessor)-'s, of … (third-person singular, single possession)
        Anna háza (Anna’s house), a felkelő nap háza (the house of the rising sun)Anna élete (Anna’s life), a város élete (the life of the city)a király palotája (the king’s palace)a ház kapuja (the gate of the house)Anna kertje (Anna’s garden), a tulipán kertje (the garden of the tulip)
      3. (with a plural possessor)-s’, of-s (third-person plural, single possession)
        a szüleim háza (my parents’ house), a trópusi növények háza ([the] house of [the] tropical plants, literally the tropical plants’ house)a szüleim élete (my parents’ lives, literally my parents’ life), a könyvek élete ([the] lives of [the] books, literally the books’ life)az uralkodók palotája (the rulers’ palace)a szüleim kertje (my parents’ garden), Az elágazó ösvények kertje (The Garden of Forking Paths)
      4. (with instantaneous time expressions) … ago (referring to a preceding point in time considered as an instant)
        Egy évszázada / két éve / egy órája / sok/hosszú ideje ment el.S/he left one century / two years / one hour / a long time ago.
        Synonym: -val/-vel ezelőtt, e.g. egy évszázaddal, két évvel ezelőtt
      5. (with durative time expressions) for … (referring to some duration that precedes the point of time in question)
        Egy évszázada / két éve / egy órája / sok/hosszú ideje várunk rád.We have been waiting for you for a century / two years / an hour / a long time.
        Synonym: óta (less common in this sense; more commonly means “since”)
      6. (mostly with quantities, often following -ik) of …, out of(partitive sense)
        Synonym: (only with countable quantities) közül
        jó (jav-) (the greater/better part)a java még hátravan (the best/bulk is yet to come, literally its best/bulk is…)
        legnagyobbik (the biggest one)a bikák legnagyobbika (the biggest [one] of the bulls, synonymous with a legnagyobb bika)
    2. (personal suffix) [from the end of the 12th century]
      1. Third-person singular personal suffix in back-vowel verbs. Today it can be found in the third-person singular definite forms (indicative past and imperative conjugations) as part of the suffix -ja/-je, -ta/-te.
        tud (to know)tudta (he/she knew it)
        tudtudja (he/she knows it (indicative mood))
        tudtudja (he/she should know it (subjunctive mood))
        kér (to request, ask for sth)kérte (he/she requested it)
        kérkérje (he/she should request it (subjunctive mood))
      2. Third-person singular personal suffix in back-vowel conjugated infinitives and in the declined and postposition forms of the third-person personal pronoun ő (he/she/it).
        tanulni (to study)tanulnia kell (he/she must study, literally it is necessary for him/her to study)
        kérni (to request, ask for)kérnie kell (he/she must request [it], literally it is necessary for him/her to request)
        -ról (about)róla (about him/her/it)
        -től (from)tőle (from him/her/it)
        után (after)utána (after him/her/it)
        fölött (above)fölötte (above him/her/it)
    Usage notes
    edit
    • (possessive suffix) Variants:
      -a is added to back-vowel words ending in a consonant
      -e is added to front-vowel words ending in a consonant
      -ja is added to back-vowel words ending in a consonant or a vowel. Final -a changes to -á-; final -o changes to -ó-.
      -je is added to front-vowel words ending in a consonant or a vowel. Final -e changes to -é-; final changes to -ő-.
      • This suffix (in all forms) is normally used for the third-person singular possessive (single possession) but, after an explicit plural possessor, it also expresses the third-person plural possessive (single possession), e.g. “the children’s ball” (a gyerekek labdája). If the possessor is implicit (not named, only marked by a suffix), the plural possessive suffix must be used, e.g. “their ball” (a labdájuk, see -juk and its variants).
    • (personal suffix) Variants:
      -a is added to back-vowel words
      -e is added to front-vowel words
    Note that the corresponding (third-person singular) indicative mood of front-vowel verbs is -i, e.g. kéri (s/he requests it).
    Declension
    edit
    Inflection (stem in long/high vowel, back harmony)
    singular plural
    nominative -a
    accusative -át
    dative -ának
    instrumental -ával
    causal-final -áért
    translative -ává
    terminative -áig
    essive-formal -aként
    essive-modal -ául
    inessive -ában
    superessive -án
    adessive -ánál
    illative -ába
    sublative -ára
    allative -ához
    elative -ából
    delative -áról
    ablative -ától
    non-attributive
    possessive - singular
    -áé
    non-attributive
    possessive - plural
    -áéi
    See also
    edit

    Etymology 2

    edit

    First attested in 1055. It can be traced back to Proto-Uralic *-i̮ which with the word-final vowel created the diphthong -ai̮/-ei̮. This had simplified to -á/-é, finally in the Old Hungarian era it had shortened to -a/-e. It was a productive suffix at that time, the back-vowel variant was used even in front-vowel words such as the Old Hungarian female given names Fehéra and Szépa, derived from fehér (light in color) and szép (beautiful), respectively.[1]

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (diminutive suffix) The back-vowel variant of the -a/-e diminutive suffix pair. In the past it could be found in common nouns, as well, but today it is used mostly in given names.
      cic (the sound for calling a cat)cica (kitten)
      Zsigmond (Siegmund)Zsiga (Sig)

    Etymology 3

    edit

    (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (personal suffix, archaic) Used to form the third-person singular indicative past indefinite, for back-vowel verbs. The front-vowel version is -e. The suffix currently used in this place is -t, -tt, or -ott. For the full paradigm, see the usage template.

    Etymology 4

    edit

    Along with its front-vowel counterpart -e, from the diphthongs -ai̮/-ei̮, developing to -á/-é, then shortened to this form by the end of the early Old Hungarian period. After the participle suffix became fixed as /, the remaining words suffixed with -a/-e underwent conversion; some became adjectives, others, nouns.[1]

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. (obsolete participle suffix) Synonym of (present-participle suffix) From a synchronic perspective, it can be viewed as a nominal-forming suffix, preserved in some adjectives and nouns (see below). No longer productive. Its front-vowel version is -e.
    Derived terms
    edit

    References

    edit
    1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 -a in Zaicz, Gábor (ed.). Etimológiai szótár: Magyar szavak és toldalékok eredete (‘Dictionary of Etymology: The origin of Hungarian words and affixes’). Budapest: Tinta Könyvkiadó, 2006, →ISBN.  (See also its 2nd edition.)

    Icelandic

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. forms verbs from nouns
      spark (a kick) + ‎-a → ‎sparka (to kick)
      mjólk (milk) + ‎-a → ‎mjólka (to milk)
      von (hope) + ‎-a → ‎vona (to hope)
      ávarp (an address) + ‎-a → ‎ávarpa (to address)
      rit (a writ) + ‎-a → ‎rita (to write)
      rass (an ass) + ‎-a → ‎rassa (to spank (on the ass))
    2. Used to form adverbs from adjectives.
      illur (bad) + ‎-a → ‎illa (badly)

    Derived terms

    edit

    See also

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. suffix denoting adjective.
      arjento (silver, noun) + ‎-a → ‎arjenta (silver, adjective)

    Usage notes

    edit

    One may elide the final a of the adjectives, but with the condition not to produce accumulation from the consonants. One advise to use the elision mainly with the derivatived adjectives and particularly when they finish with -al-(a).[1]

    Derived terms

    edit

    References

    edit
    1. ^ KGD”, in Kompleta gramatiko detaloza[1] (in Ido), 2015 December 23 (last accessed), archived from the original on 27 January 2012

    Ingrian

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    From Proto-Finnic *-da. Cognates include Finnish -a and Estonian -a.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (front vowel variant )

    1. Used to form the partitive case: part of
    Inflection
    edit
    Possessive forms of -a
    possessor singular plural
    1st person -haan -amme
    2nd person -haas -anne
    3rd person -haa -asse

    Etymology 2

    edit

    From Proto-Finnic *-dak. Cognates include Finnish -da.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (front vowel variant )

    1. First infinitive marker
    Usage notes
    edit
    • After stems ending in -n, -l, -r, -s the alternative forms -na, -la, -ra and -sa are used, respectively.

    Irish

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. plural ending of certain nouns
    2. plural ending of adjectives in the nominative, vocative, dative, and strong genitive cases
    3. genitive singular ending of third-declension nouns

    Italian

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    Inherited from Latin -a, from Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ (forms action nouns).

    Suffix

    edit

    -a f (noun-forming suffix, plural -e)

    1. used with a stem to form a feminine singular noun, usually a deverbal
      Synonym: -o
    Derived terms
    edit

    Etymology 2

    edit

    From Latin -at.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

    1. used, with a stem, to form the third-person singular present tense of -are verbs

    Etymology 3

    edit

    From Latin .

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

    1. used, with a stem, to form the second-person singular imperative of -are verbs

    Etymology 4

    edit

    From Latin -(e/i)am, -(e/i)ās, -(e/i)at.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

    1. used, with a stem, to form the first-person singular, second-person singular and third-person singular present subjunctive of -ere verbs, and of those -ire verbs that do not insert -isc-

    Etymology 5

    edit

    From Latin -(e/i)at.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

    1. used, with a stem, to form the third-person singular imperative of -ere verbs, and of those -ire verbs that do not insert -isc-

    Khalaj

    edit

    Suffix

    edit
    preceding vowel
    A / I / O / U E / Ə / İ / Ö / Ü
    -a

    -a

    1. Form of after the vowels A / I / O / U.

    Latin

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    From Proto-Italic *-ā, from Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂, from Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ (suffix originally used to form collective nouns, extended in Late PIE to also be a marker of feminine gender). For the use to form masculine agent nouns from verb roots, compare Latin poeta from Ancient Greek ποιητής (poiētḗs).

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. inflection of -us:
      1. nominative/vocative feminine singular
      2. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter plural
    2. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter plural of -s

    Suffix

    edit

    -a f or m (genitive -ae); first declension

    1. suffix used to form feminine first-declension nouns
      1. added to the root of a masculine noun denoting a male to form a feminine noun denoting a female counterpart.
        equus m (horse) + ‎-a → ‎equa f (female horse, mare)
        flāmen m (flamen) + ‎-a → ‎flāmina f (wife of a flamen)
        magister m (master, instructor) + ‎-a → ‎magistra f (mistress, instructress)
      2. (Late Latin) added to the stem of a third-declension noun to adapt its inflection to that of a feminine first-declension noun
        lendis, lendin- f + ‎-a → ‎lendina f
        pūlex, pūlic- m + ‎-a → ‎*pūlica f
    2. suffix used to form (usually masculine) agent nouns from the roots of (usually compound) verbs
      adveniō + ‎-a → ‎advena
      ager + ‎colō + ‎-a → ‎agricola
      caedō + ‎-a → ‎-cīda
      colō + ‎-a → ‎-cola
      cōnferveō + ‎-a → ‎cōnferva f
      cōnsolidō + ‎-a → ‎cōnsolida f
      scrībō + ‎-a → ‎scrība
    Declension
    edit

    First-declension noun.

    singular plural
    nominative -a -ae
    genitive -ae -ārum
    dative -ae -īs
    accusative -am -ās
    ablative -īs
    vocative -a -ae

    1. Certain masculine nouns ending in -a, especially those ending in -cola and -gena, sometimes have a short genitive plural form ending in -um instead of -ārum.

    2. Feminine nouns such as fīlia (daughter) that have a second-declension masculine counterpart sometimes take the ending -ābus instead of -īs in the dative and ablative plural to avoid ambiguity (since fīliīs could be misunderstood as the dative/ablative plural of fīlius (son)). Forms in -ābus are attested earliest for the nouns fīlia and dea (goddess), and later on for others such as līberta (freedwoman), equa (mare) and anima.

    Synonyms
    edit
    • (suffixed to the roots of verbs, forms masculine agent nouns): -ō¹
    Derived terms
    edit

    References

    edit

    Etymology 2

    edit

    From Old Latin -ād, first-declension ablative singular ending.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    1. ablative feminine singular of -us

    Suffix

    edit

    (not comparable)

    1. suffixed chiefly to the stems of adjectives terminating in -ter, forms adverbs which are frequently also used as prepositions
      citer + citrā
      exter + extrā
      in- + -ter + intrā
      ulter + ultrā
    Derived terms
    edit

    References

    edit

    Etymology 3

    edit

    See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    1. second-person singular present active imperative of (first conjugation)

    Latvian

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Used to derive feminine nouns from masculine nouns (like English -ess).
      Synonym: -e

    Derived terms

    edit
    edit
    Feminine suffixes that include -a

    Lushootseed

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. and (attached only to čəd, čəxʷ, čəɬ & čələp)

    Derived terms

    edit

    Makasar

    edit

    Article

    edit

    -a

    1. the (definite article for common nouns)
      Ba'dai uringa.[1]The saucepan is leaking.

    References

    edit
    1. ^ Aburaerah Arief (1995) Kamus Makassar–Indonesia, Ujung Pandang: Yayaan Perguruan Islam Kapita, page 29.

    Maltese

    edit

    Alternative forms

    edit
    • -ja (used after -i, -j; also another ending of different origin)
    • -wa (used after -u, -w)

    Etymology

    edit

    From Arabic ـَة (-a), reinforced by Sicilian and Italian -a, which are unrelated but used similarly.

    Pronunciation

    edit
    • IPA(key): /a/
    • Homophone: -ha (distinct after -h, -ħ, -għ; may also trigger different stem alternations)

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Used to form the feminine forms of most nouns and adjectives.
    2. Used to form the plurals of some nouns and adjectives.
    3. Used to form singulatives from collective nouns.

    Maori

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. passive ending (used mainly for verbs with one or two vowels)

    Derived terms

    edit

    Mbyá Guaraní

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    Cognate with Guaraní -va.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. nominalizes the action of the verb
      pendeayvua
      that which you say
    2. indicates the place of the verb
      ooa
      where he is going
    3. indicates the time of the action of the verb
      nhama'etỹa ára
      the day in which we planted

    Etymology 2

    edit

    Cognate with Guaraní -ha.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. forms ordinal numbers
      mboapya
      third

    Murui Huitoto

    edit

    Alternative forms

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Forms nouns denoting the action of the suffixed verb; -ing, -tion

    Derived terms

    edit

    References

    edit
    • Katarzyna Izabela Wojtylak (2017) A grammar of Murui (Bue): a Witotoan language of Northwest Amazonia.[4], Townsville: James Cook University press (PhD thesis), page 81

    Northern Sami

    edit

    Etymology

    edit

    From Proto-Samic *-ëk. Cognate with Finnish -e.

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a (with odd-syllable stems -at)

    1. Forms nouns from verbs, indicating something used for performing the verb.
      loavdit (to cover the tent) + ‎-a → ‎loavdda (tent cloth)
    2. Forms nouns from verbs, indicating something that results from having the verb's action performed.
      čállit (to write) + ‎-a → ‎čála (writing)

    Usage notes

    edit
    • This suffix triggers the weak grade on a preceding stressed syllable in the nominative singular and essive, and the strong grade in the other forms.

    Inflection

    edit
    Odd, no gradation
    Nominative -at
    Genitive -aga
    Singular Plural
    Nominative -at -agat
    Accusative -aga -agiid
    Genitive -aga -agiid
    Illative -agii -agiidda
    Locative -agis -agiin
    Comitative -agiin -agiiguin
    Essive -agin
    Possessive forms
    Singular Dual Plural
    1st person -agan -ageamẹ -ageamẹt
    2nd person -agat -ageattẹ -ageattẹt
    3rd person -agis -ageaskkạ -ageasẹt

    Derived terms

    edit

    Norwegian Nynorsk

    edit

    Etymology

    edit

    (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. the, Definite marker used for
      Synonym: (only for strong nouns; nonstandard since 2012) -i
      1. the definite singular of (strong) feminine nouns.
      2. the definite plural of strong neuter nouns.
      3. (dialectal) the dative singular case of strong masculine nouns.
      4. (archaic, nonstandard) Used to form definite singular dative case of weak masculine and neuter nouns
    2. -ed, Used for:
      1. the past tense of a-verbs.
      2. the supines of a-verbs and some preterite-present verbs (e.g. har bada, kasta, kunna, skulla, vilja).
      3. the past participles of a-verbs.
      4. adjectives (e.g. grepa, heilhjarta).
    3. Used to form an infinitive form for most verbs. When using split infinitive, this only applies to a select group.
    4. Used to form singular indefinite feminine form of some pronouns and adjectives (e.g. inga, lita, noka etc.).
      Synonym: -i (non-standard since 2012)
    5. plural of -um
    6. plural of -on
    7. Used as an ending of weak nouns and adjectives. Used for:
      1. the singular of weak feminine nouns, indefinite (non-standard since 2012) and definite forms.
      2. the singular of weak neuter nouns, indefinite and definite forms (e.g. auga, hjarta, øyra).
      3. (dated or dialectal) adverbs ((pre-2012) alternative form of -e).
      4. (pre-1901 (Landsmål), archaic or dialectal) the singular definite feminine and neuter forms of adjectives.
    8. (pre-1901 (Landsmål), archaic, nonstandard) Used to form the feminine indefinite plural of adjectives.
    9. (pre-1901 (Landsmål), archaic, nonstandard) Used to form the genitive plural of nouns.
      Synonyms: -a-, -e-

    Anagrams

    edit

    Old English

    edit

    Pronunciation

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

    From Proto-West Germanic *-ō, from Proto-Germanic *-ô. Cognate with Old High German -o.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. nominative masculine n-stem ending
      ācweornasquirrel
      folafoal
      dracadragon
      grīmamask
      heorradoor hinge
    2. used to form the nominative singular n-stem (weak) adjective and subsequent nominalised form
      eald (old) + ‎-a → ‎(sē) ealda ((the/that) old; (the/that) old one/thing)
    3. used to form masculine agents, usually from verbs
      Synonyms: -end, -ere
      ġiefan (to give) + ‎-a → ‎ġiefa (giver)
      dēman (to judge) + ‎-a → ‎dēma (a judge)
      cuman (to come) + ‎-a → ‎cuma (guest)
    Declension
    edit

    Weak:

    Derived terms
    edit
    Descendants
    edit
    • Middle English: -e

    Etymology 2

    edit

    From Proto-West Germanic *-ō, from Proto-Germanic *-ô.

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Ending forming adverbs
    Usage notes
    edit
    • Though it was common in Proto-Germanic and Proto-West Germanic, in Old English this ending is restricted to only a few adverbs, among them sōna (immediately) and ġeāra (long ago). The competing suffix -e is much more common, along with -līċe.
    Derived terms
    edit
    Descendants
    edit
    • Middle English: -e (fossilised)

    Etymology 3

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Forms the nominative, accusative, and genitive plural of o-stem feminine nouns and u-stem masculine nouns
      sunu (son) + ‎-a → ‎suna (sons, sons')
      talu (tale) + ‎-a → ‎tala (tales, tales')

    Etymology 4

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Forms the genitive plural of a-stem nouns
      word (word) + ‎-a → ‎worda (words')

    Etymology 5

    edit

    Suffix

    edit

    -a

    1. Forms the genitive and dative singular of u-stem nouns
      sunu (son) + ‎-a → ‎suna (son's, son)

    Old Galician-Portuguese

    edit

    Etymology 1

    edit

      Inherited from Latin -am.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a f (plural -as)

      1. feminine singular of -o
      Derived terms
      edit
      Descendants
      edit
      • Galician: -a
      • Portuguese: -a

      Etymology 2

      edit

      Inherited from Latin -at, from Proto-Italic *-āt, from Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. a suffix indicating the second-person singular present indicative of a verb in -ar
        amar (to love) + ‎-a → ‎ama ([he/she/it] loves)
        cantar (to sing) + ‎-a → ‎canta ([he/she/it] sings)
      Descendants
      edit
      • Fala: -a
      • Galician: -a
      • Portuguese: -a

      Old Irish

      edit

      Pronunciation

      edit

      Etymology 1

      edit

      (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

      Pronoun

      edit

      -a

      1. combines with prepositions to form a relative pronoun
        ar (for the sake of) + ‎-a → ‎ara (for the sake of whom/which)
      Derived terms
      edit

      Etymology 2

      edit

      An allomorph of -iu. It derives from Proto-Celtic *-is, the neuter of *-yūs. -is was extended to -ais thanks to a rebracketing of Proto-Celtic *mais (more) from *ma-is to *m-ais (neuter of *māyūs from which Old Irish ).[1]

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. forms the comparative degree of some adjectives
        Synonym: -iu
        lethan (broad) + ‎-a → ‎letha (broader)
      Usage notes
      edit

      Used with a relatively small number of adjectives to form an irregular comparative. The regular, productive comparative suffix is -iu.

      Derived terms
      edit

      References

      edit
      1. ^ Jasanoff, Jay (19881990) “The origin of the Celtic comparative type OIr. tressa, MW trech ‘stronger’”, in Die Sprache[2], volume 34, published 1991, pages 171-189

      Further reading

      edit

      Old Norse

      edit

      Etymology 1

      edit

      (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

      Alternative forms

      edit

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. indicates negation; does not (Can we add an example for this sense?)

      Etymology 2

      edit

      From Proto-Germanic *-ōną.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. Creates denominative verbs from nouns
      2. Creates factitive verbs from adjectives
      Conjugation
      edit
      Derived terms
      edit
      Descendants
      edit
      • Danish: -e
      • Icelandic: -a
      • Faroese: -a
      • Norwegian:
        Norwegian Nynorsk: -e, -a
      • Old Swedish: -a
        • Swedish: -a

      Etymology 3

      edit

      From Proto-Germanic *-ê and *-ô.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. Used to make adverbs from adjectives
        gjarn + ‎-a → ‎gjarna
      Descendants
      edit
      • Icelandic: -a

      Etymology 4

      edit

      From Proto-Germanic *-ǭ or *-ô.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a f or n

      1. Occurs in the nominative singular of feminine on-stem nouns
      2. Occurs in the singular of neuter an-stem nouns
      Declension
      edit

      Etymology 5

      edit

      Different noun forms.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. indefinite genitive plural (of nouns)
      2. inflection of -i (masculine an-stem nouns):
        1. indefinite oblique singular
        2. indefinite accusative plural
      3. indefinite accusative plural of -r (masculine a-stem nouns)

      Old Swedish

      edit

      Etymology

      edit

      From Old Norse -a.

      Suffix

      edit

      -a

      1. Creates denominative verbs from nouns
      2. Creates factitive verbs from adjectives
        sighia
        to say
        hælgha
        to celebrate

      Conjugation

      edit

      Descendants

      edit
      • Swedish: -a

      Old Tupi

      edit

      Etymology

      edit

        Possibly from Proto-Tupi-Guarani *-aβ, making it a doublet of -sab.

        Cognate with Guajajára, Kamayurá, Mbyá Guaraní, and Tapirapé -a.

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. forms nouns from a word's stem
          porang (beautiful, adjective) + ‎-a → ‎poranga (beauty, noun)
          nhe'eng (to speak, verb) + ‎-a → ‎nhe'enga (language, noun)
        2. forms the gerund of verbs ending in a consonant
          mim (to hide) + ‎-a → ‎mima (hiding)

        Derived terms

        edit

        References

        edit

        Phalura

        edit

        Etymology 1

        edit

        (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. Third person singular suffix
        Alternative forms
        edit
        • -íi (With e-ending verb stems)
        • -óo (With a-ending verb stems)
        • -e (Biori)
        • -úu (With a-ending verb stems in Biori)

        References

        edit
        • Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011) “-a”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7)‎[5], Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN

        Etymology 2

        edit

        (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. Plural suffix (with a-declension nouns)
        Alternative forms
        edit
        • (With accent-shifting nouns)
        • -ée (Alternation with ái-a for ai-ending nouns)

        References

        edit
        • Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011) “-a”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7)‎[6], Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN

        Etymology 3

        edit

        (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. Oblique case suffix (with a-declension nouns)
        Alternative forms
        edit
        • (With accent shifting nouns)
        • -ée (Alternation with ái-a for ai-ending nouns)

        References

        edit
        • Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011) “-a”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7)‎[7], Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN

        Etymology 4

        edit

        (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. Masculine plural agreement suffix

        References

        edit
        • Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011) “-a”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7)‎[8], Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN

        Etymology 5

        edit

        (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. Masculine non-nominative and non-singular agreement suffix

        References

        edit
        • Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011) “-a”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7)‎[9], Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN

        Polish

        edit

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Etymology 1

        edit

        Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-a.

        Suffix

        edit

        -a f

        1. forms nominative feminine nouns
        2. forms feminine names from masculine names
          Zdzisław + ‎-a → ‎Zdzisława
        3. (obsolete) forms feminine nominative and vocative forms of short forms of adjectives
          rad + ‎-a → ‎rada.
        Declension
        edit

        Suffix

        edit

        -a m pers (feminine -yni)

        1. forms masculine personal agent nouns
        Declension
        edit

        Etymology 2

        edit

        Inherited from Old Polish , from Proto-Slavic *-aja.

        Suffix

        edit

        -a f

        1. forms feminine nominative and vocative forms of adjectives
          główny + ‎-a → ‎główna

        Etymology 3

        edit

        Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-ьja. Doublet of -ia.

        Suffix

        edit

        -a f (neuter -e)

        1. forms collective nouns, causes palatalization

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. forms some plural forms, causes palatalization
          brat + ‎-a → ‎bracia

        Etymology 4

        edit

        Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-a, from Proto-Indo-European *-éad, the thematic ablative suffix.

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. used to create the masculine genitive singular, usually of animate nouns, but also of some inanimate nouns
          Zdzisław + ‎-a → ‎Zdzisława
          but + ‎-a → ‎buta
        2. forms genitive singular of neuter nouns
          zdanie + ‎-a → ‎zdania
        3. used in some adverbial constructions
          od dawna
          zgoła

        Etymology 5

        edit

        Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-a.

        Suffix

        edit

        -a

        1. forms the nominative plural of neuter nouns
          zdanie + ‎-a → ‎zdania
        Derived terms
        edit

        Further reading

        edit
        • -a in Polish dictionaries at PWN

        Portuguese

        edit

        Pronunciation

        edit

        Etymology 1

        edit

          Inherited from Old Galician-Portuguese -a, from Latin -am, from Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂, from *-h₂.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a f (plural -as)

          1. feminine singular of -o
            uruguaio (Uruguayan (masculine)) + ‎-a → ‎uruguaia (Uruguayan (feminine))

          Suffix

          edit

          -a f (noun-forming suffix, plural -as)

          1. forms feminine nouns from adjectives, indicating people having the quality of the source adjective
            Uruguai (Uruguay) + ‎-o → ‎uruguaio (Uruguayan) + ‎-a → ‎uruguaia (Uruguayan woman or girl)
          Derived terms
          edit

          Etymology 2

          edit

          Inherited from Old Galician-Portuguese -a, from Latin -at.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. a suffix indicating the third-person singular present indicative of a verb in -ar
            amar (to love) + ‎-a → ‎ama ([he/she/it] loves)
            cantar (to sing) + ‎-a → ‎canta ([he/she/it] sings)
          See also
          edit

          Etymology 3

          edit

          From Old Galician-Portuguese -a, from Latin .

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. forms the second-person singular affirmative imperative of verbs ending in -ar
            João, conta-nos o teu apelido.John, tell us your last name.

          Etymology 4

          edit

          From Old Galician-Portuguese -a, from Latin -am, -eam.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. forms the first-person singular present subjunctive of verbs ending in -er and -ir
            É importante que eu coma carne.It is important that I eat meat.

          Etymology 5

          edit

          From Old Galician-Portuguese -a, from Latin -at, -eat.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. forms the third-person singular present subjunctive of verbs ending in -er and -ir
            É importante que ele coma carne.It is important that he eat meat.
          2. forms the third-person singular affirmative imperative of verbs ending in -er and -ir
            Ei você aí, coma carne.Hey you there, eat meat.
          3. forms the third-person singular negative imperative of verbs ending in -er and -ir
            Ei você aí, não coma carne.Hey you there, don’t eat meat.
          Usage notes
          edit
          • The third-person imperative is not used with third person pronouns but rather with você, which is a second-person pronoun but always takes third-person conjugation.

          Etymology 6

          edit

          (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

          Suffix

          edit

          -a m or f (noun-forming suffix, plural -as)

          1. (Brazil, slang) used in the end of shortenings
            vestibular + ‎-a → ‎vestiba (university admittance test)
            vagabundo + ‎-a → ‎vagaba (loafer)

          Romani

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Forms the nominative plural of consonantal oikoclitic nouns
            phral (brother) + ‎-a → ‎phrala (brothers)
            ćhaj (daughter) + ‎-a → ‎ćhaja (daughters)
          2. Forms the accusative singular of unjotated oikoclitic animate feminine nouns
            daj (mother) + ‎-a → ‎daja
          3. Forms the feminine singular oblique of consonantal oikoclitic nouns. Displaced by -e in most dialects
            phuro (old (animate)) + ‎-a → ‎phura

          Derived terms

          edit

          References

          edit
          • Yaron Matras, Anton Tenser, editors (2020 August), The Palgrave Handbook of Romani Language and Linguistics, Palgrave Macmillan, →ISBN, pages 30, 166

          Romanian

          edit

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          Inherited from Latin illa, nominative feminine singular of ille.

          Alternative forms

          edit
          • -uaused for feminine nouns ending in a stressed vowel or diphthong

          Suffix

          edit

          -a f

          1. (definite article) the (feminine singular, nominative and accusative)
          Usage notes
          edit

          This form of the definite article is used for feminine nouns in the nominative and accusative cases which end in or in an unstressed vowel:

          The suffix is also used with feminine adjectives in the nominative and accusative cases to make the articulated definite form, often for emphasis, and it is used before the noun it modifies:

          edit
          • -ei (feminine singular genitive and dative)
          • -i (masculine/neuter plural nominative and accusative)
          • -l (masculine/neuter singular nominative and accusative)
          • -le (feminine plural nominative and accusative)
          • -lor (plural genitive and dative)
          • -lui (masculine/neuter singular genitive and dative)

          Etymology 2

          edit

          Inherited from Latin -āre, the ending of the present active infinitive form of first conjugation verbs. Cognate with Spanish -ar, French -er, Italian -are, etc.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. A suffix forming infinitives of many verbs.
          Conjugation
          edit
          edit
          See also
          edit

          Derived terms

          edit

          Serbo-Croatian

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (Cyrillic spelling )

          1. Suffix appended to words (usually verbal stems) to create a feminine noun, usually denoting a relation or to form a proper noun.

          Etymology 2

          edit

          Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-a, from Proto-Indo-European *-ōd, the thematic ablative ending.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (Cyrillic spelling )

          1. Forms the genitive singular of masculine and neuter nouns and indefinite adjectives.

          Slovak

          edit

          Alternative forms

          edit

          Etymology

          edit

          Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-ę.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a n

          1. forms nouns for young animals and other diminutives

          Usage notes

          edit
          • After labio-dental and bilabial consonants is used instead.

          Declension

          edit

          Spanish

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          Inherited from Latin -a.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a f (noun-forming suffix, plural -as)

          1. -ess forms feminine singular nouns
            señor (gentleman) + ‎-a → ‎señora (lady)
            camarero (waiter) + ‎-a → ‎camarera (waitress)

          Suffix

          edit

          -a f (non-lemma form of adjective-forming suffix)

          1. forms feminine singular adjectives
            frío (cold) + ‎-a → ‎fría (cold)

          Derived terms

          edit

          Etymology 2

          edit

          Inherited from Latin -at, the third-person singular present active indicative ending of first conjugation verbs.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

          1. forms the third-person singular (also used with usted) present indicative mood of regular -ar verbs
            hablar (to talk) + ‎-a → ‎habla (talks)

          Etymology 3

          edit

          Inherited from Latin -eam, Latin -am, and Latin -iam the first-person singular present active subjunctive endings of second, third, and fourth conjugation verbs, respectively; and from Latin -eat, Latin -at, and Latin -iat, the third-person singular present active subjunctive ending of second, third, and fourth conjugation verbs, respectively.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

          1. forms the first and third-person singular (also used with usted) singular present subjunctive mood of -er and -ir verbs, also used for the imperative mood of usted
            comer (to eat) + ‎-a → ‎aunque yo coma (even if I ate)
            salir (to leave) + ‎-a → ‎por favor, salga Ud. (please leave) (formal)

          Etymology 4

          edit

          Inherited from Latin (second-person singular present active imperative ending of first conjugation verbs).

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (non-lemma form of verb-forming suffix)

          1. forms the second-person singular imperative mood of -ar verbs
            hablar (to talk) + ‎-a → ‎¡Habla! (Talk!)

          Swahili

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. positive indicative ending for verbs of Bantu origin

          Usage notes

          edit

          Several tenses (such as the ones which historically derive from auxiliary + main verb) keep their ending -a even in the negative.

          See also

          edit
          Swahili TAM markers
          Initial
          Positive infinitive ku-/kw-1
          Negative infinitive kuto-
          Habitual hu-1
          Telegrammic ka-1
          Final
          General (positive indicative) -a
          Positive subjunctive -e
          Negative present -i
          Second person plural -ni
          Infix position
          positive subject concord
          Positive past -li-
          Positive present -na-
          Positive future -ta-
          Negative subjunctive -si-1
          Positive present conditional -nge-
          Negative present conditional -singe-
          Positive past conditional -ngali-
          Negative past conditional -singali-
          Gnomic -a-1
          Perfect -me-
          "Already" past -lisha-
          "Already" present -mesha-/-sha-
          "If/When" -ki-1
          "If not" -sipo-
          Consecutive -ka-1
          Infix position
          negative subject concord
          Negative past -ku-1
          Negative future -ta-
          "Not yet" -ja-1
          Negative present conditional -nge-
          Negative past conditional -ngali-
          Relative
          Past -li-
          Present -na-
          Future -taka-
          Negative -si-
          1 Can take stress and therefore does not require -ku-/-kw- in monosyllabic verbs.

          Swedish

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          From Old Swedish -a, from Old Norse -a, from Proto-Germanic *-ōną.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. A verb-building suffix that can be added to nouns or adjectives.
            disk (dishes) + ‎-a → ‎diska (to do the dishes)
            mjölk (milk) + ‎-a → ‎mjölka (to milk)
            öl (beer) + ‎-a → ‎öla (to drink beer)
          Conjugation
          edit
          • For weak verbs with a voiceless ending stem:
          • For weak verbs with a voiced ending stem:
          Derived terms
          edit

          Etymology 2

          edit

          The language noun sense originally comes from the definite adjective + tunga (tongue; language). Thus svenska (Swedish) was originally svenska tungan (the Swedish tongue)

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. (on a positive adjective) Weak (definite) singular suffix, historically feminine
          2. Transform an adjective describing a people speaking a language into the noun for that language.
            engelsk (English) + ‎-a → ‎engelska (the English language)
          Usage notes
          edit
          • On adjectives: Traditionally, if the noun is in the definite singular form it should not refer to a male human if it uses the suffix -a. If it refers to such a person, the suffix should instead be -e, but one should note that this rule is not universally adhered to – in particular dialects of northern Sweden do not recognize the -e suffix at all, but use -a in all instances.

          Etymology 3

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Definite plural suffix for neuter nouns of the fourth declension with regular plurals in -n, e.g. äpplen (apples) + ‎-a → ‎äpplena (the apples); see also -na.
          Usage notes
          edit
          • In informal/dialectal usage, -a may be used instead of -en to form the definite plural of the irregular fourth-declension nouns öron (ears), ögon (eyes).

          Etymology 4

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Create a noun from a numeral.
            tre (three) + ‎-a → ‎trea (a bronze medalist; a three-room apartment, literally a three)

          Tokelauan

          edit

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          From Proto-Polynesian *-a. Cognates include Tuvaluan -a and Samoan -a.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Creates a verb denoting an abundancy of the suffixed noun; -ful
            aiha (ice)aihā (to be icy)
            manava (belly)manavā (to be big-bellied)
          Derived terms
          edit

          Etymology 2

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Added to transitive verbs when preceded by the subject pronoun.

          References

          edit
          • R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary[10], Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 1

          Turkish

          edit

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit
          preceding vowel
          A / I / O / U E / İ / Ö / Ü
          postconsonantal -a -e
          postvocalic -ya -ye

          From Proto-Turkic *-ka (dative case).

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (in words with back vowel harmony)

          1. Used to form the dative case
            İstanbul + ‎-a → ‎İstanbul’a (to Istanbul)
            Ankara + ‎-a → ‎Ankara’ya (to Ankara)
            İzmir + ‎-a → ‎İzmir’e (to Izmir)
            babası + ‎-a → ‎babasına (to his father)
            suyu içtikten sonra suyu geri buzdolabına koydum
            i put the water back in the fridge after drinking it

          Etymology 2

          edit
          preceding vowel
          A / I / O / U E / İ / Ö / Ü
          postconsonantal -a -e
          postvocalic -ya -ye

          From Proto-Turkic *-ü (gerundive suffix).

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (in words with back vowel harmony)

          1. Used to form gerunds
            Synonyms: -erek, -ip
            yürümek + ‎-a → ‎yürüye (by walking)

          Etymology 3

          edit
          preceding vowel
          A / I / O / U E / İ / Ö / Ü
          postconsonantal -a -e
          postvocalic -ya -ye

          From Proto-Turkic *-gey (optative-predictive future case).

          Suffix

          edit

          -a (in words with back vowel harmony)

          1. Used to form the optative mood of verbs
            olmak (to happen) + ‎-a → ‎ola (may it happen)

          References

          edit

          Volapük

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. A morpheme used to mark the genitive singular of a word (such as a noun, adjective or pronoun). It is also the most common morpheme used in creating innumerable compound words, some of which can be very long
            pledadinaselidöptoy store, toy shop
            tanoganilamedinantibiotic
            taglumaladälamedinanti-depressant
            natrinakarbatazüd telikbicarbonate of soda
            Elaf Tyrannosaurus rex älifon in taledadil, kel nu binon dil Nolüda-Meropa.
            Tyrannosaurus rex lived in an area of the earth, which is now a part of North America.
            Buks binons stumem lärnazilana (/ lärnazilanastumem / stumem lärnazilanik).
            Books are a scholar's tools.

          Walloon

          edit

          Etymology

          edit

          Inherited from Latin -āculum.

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Forming masculine nouns from verbs and nouns, having the sense of 'tool, object for a specific purpose'.

          Derived terms

          edit

          Welsh

          edit

          Alternative forms

          edit
          • -af (superlative; colloquial first-person singular future)

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Etymology 1

          edit

          From -ha.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Forms verbnouns from verb stems. Usually denotes an action that is often repeated, e.g. frequenting a certain place or gathering a certain item.
          Derived terms
          edit

          Etymology 2

          edit

          From -ha.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. (literary) verb suffix for the third-person singular present indicative/future

          Etymology 3

          edit

          From -ha.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. (literary) verb suffix for the second-person singular present imperative
          2. (colloquial) verb suffix for the second-person singular present imperative

          Etymology 4

          edit

          From -af.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. (colloquial) used to form the superlative of an adjective of one or two syllables.
          Usage notes
          edit

          Like the more formal -af, this triggers causes final b, d and g to mutate to p, t and c, respectively. For example, the superlative of teg (fair) is teca.

          Etymology 5

          edit

          From -af.

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. (colloquial) verb suffix for the first-person singular future

          Ye'kwana

          edit
          Variant orthographies
          ALIV -a
          Brazilian standard -a
          New Tribes -a

          Alternative forms

          edit

          Pronunciation

          edit

          Suffix

          edit

          -a

          1. Forms the nonpast tense.
          2. Marks imperfective aspect in both the recent and distant past tenses.

          Usage notes

          edit

          This suffix can cause syllable reduction. The suffix takes the form -ka when the preceding syllable is reducible and has an onset of k, -ya when the preceding syllable ends in i, and -a in other contexts.

          When marking the past imperfective, this suffix never occurs alone but is always accompanied by other suffixes bearing tense/aspect or at least number information. Conversely, when marking the nonpast tense, it occurs alone without other tense/aspect markers, though it can form a plural -aato.

          Derived terms

          edit

          References

          edit
          • Cáceres, Natalia (2011) Grammaire Fonctionnelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana[11], Lyon, pages 213–224