Word Formation: Adjectives

In the previous article we learned how to build nouns. Now let's master the suffixes that turn words into adjectives — descriptions of qualities, properties, and characteristics.

🧮 1. Diminutive Suffixes

-ЧА / -ЧЕ — Small, Not Big

This suffix adds the meaning of "small" or "small in size." It works like the English diminutive suffixes "-let," "-ling," "-ie."

• Бул китепчени окуп чык. — Read through this booklet.
• Ал балача сүйлөйт. — He speaks childishly.

-КАЙ / -КЕЙ / -НАКАЙ / -НЕКЕЙ — Affectionate Diminutive

A more emotional form of diminution. It adds a warm, affectionate tone, like the English suffixes "-y," "-ie," "-kins."

• Кичинекей бала ыйлап жатат. — The little baby is crying.
• Апакай, мен келдим! — Mummy, I'm home!

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🧮 2. Qualitative Suffixes

-ЛУУ / -ДУУ / -ТУУ — Possessing a Quality

You already know this suffix from the article on -луу and -сыз suffixes. It means "having something," "possessing something."

-СЫЗ / -СИЗ / -СУЗ / -СҮЗ — Lacking a Quality

The antonym of the above. Means "without something," "not having."

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🧮 3. Spatial and Temporal Suffixes

-ГЫ / -ГИ / -ГУ / -ГҮ and -КЫ / -КИ / -КУ / -КҮ — Relating to a Place or Time

This suffix forms adjectives with the meaning "relating to" a particular place, time, or concept.

Choosing the consonant:

• After vowels and voiced consonants: -гы/-ги/-гу/-гү
• After voiceless consonants: -кы/-ки/-ку/-кү

• Азыркы президент ким? — Who is the current president?
• Кийинки сабак качан? — When is the next lesson?
• Үйдөгү тамак бүттү. — The food at home has run out.

-ДАГЫ / -ДЕГИ / -ТАГЫ / -ТЕГИ — That Which Is In/On

An expanded form of the previous suffix. Always contains the locative element -да/-де/-та/-те.

• Столдогу калем меники. — The pen on the table is mine.
• Китептеги маалымат туура. — The information in the book is correct.

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🧮 4. Likeness and Comparison

-ДАЙ / -ДЕЙ / -ТАЙ / -ТЕЙ — Like, Similar To

This suffix forms adjectives with the meaning "like," "similar to." More detail in the article Comparison: Likeness.

• Суу муздай муздак. — The water is cold as ice.
• Ал баладай сүйүнүп жатат. — He's rejoicing like a child.

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🧮 5. Inclination and Purpose

-ЧЫЛ / -ЧИЛ — Inclined Toward Something

Forms adjectives with the meaning "inclined to," "fond of."

• Ал абдан ишчил адам. — He's a very hardworking person.

-ЛУК / -ЛҮК — Suitable For

Forms adjectives with the meaning "suitable for," "intended for."

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🧮 Summary Table

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⚠️ Important Nuances

1. Order of Suffixes

When multiple suffixes are needed, the order matters:

• Base → derivational suffix → case suffix → possessive suffix
• мектеп + те + ги = мектептеги (school, in-school)

мектептеги
мектеп
root (school)
те
locative case
ги
relating to
→ school (located in the school)

2. Adjective or Adverb?

Many of these forms can function both as adjectives and as adverbs:

• Балача сүйлө. — Speak childishly. (adverb)
• Балача сөз. — A childish word. (adjective)

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See also:

• Suffixes -луу and -сыз — presence and absence
• Basic Adjectives — usage
• Vowel Harmony — choosing vowels
• Sound Assimilation — consonant changes
• Comparison: Likeness — the -дай/-дей suffix