Spanish Suffixes

Build words with -ero, -ista, -dor, -ción, -oso. Profession and nationality endings.

Profession suffixes

SuffixMeaningExamples
-ero / -eraperson who works withpanadero (baker), enfermera (nurse), cocinero (cook)
-istaspecialist/practitionerdentista, artista, periodista, futbolista
-dor / -doraone who doestrabajador (worker), vendedora (saleswoman), jugador (player)
-ante / -enteone who does (from verb)estudiante (student), cantante (singer), presidente
-or / -oraone who doesprofesor, doctor, directora, escritor
-ista is gender-neutral: same form for both

el dentista / la dentista
el artista / la artista
Only the article changes!

Nationality suffixes

SuffixCountriesExamples
-ano / -anaAmericasmexicano, colombiana, americano, peruano
-eño / -eñavariousbrasileño, panameña, hondureño, madrileño
-és / -esaEuropeanfrancés, inglesa, portugués, japonés
-ensevariouscostarricense, canadiense, estadounidense
-ino / -inavariousargentino, filipina

Useful word-building suffixes

SuffixCreatesExamples
-ción / -siónnoun from verbcomunicación, decisión, educación
-mientonoun from verbconocimiento, sentimiento, movimiento
-dad / -tadnoun (quality)libertad, ciudad, verdad, amistad
-oso / -osaadjective (full of)hermoso (beautiful), peligroso (dangerous)
-able / -ibleadjective (can be)posible, increíble, comfortable

Quick quiz

1. Baker = panad_____.

2. Dentista is _____ for both genders.

3. Someone from Mexico = _____o.

4. Someone from France = franc_____.

5. Worker = trabaja_____.

6. Singer = cant_____.

7. Communication = comunic_____.

8. Dangerous = peligr_____.

9. Someone from Costa Rica = costarric_____.

10. Freedom = liber_____.

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