What is a prefix?

As you can see, the highlighted segments (un-, i-) give the radical a new meaning when they are joined to it. This segment is a morphic unit known as prefix.In this way, we can say that the prefix is ​​the morphic element that appears before the stem and gives it a new meaning..

In Portuguese, the prefixes have two origins: Latin and Greek. From their union with the stem, new words are derived. See in the table below what these prefixes are:

Latin origin prefixes

Prefix

Sense

Example

ab-

abs-

The-

separation, separation

abdicate, abort

ad-

The-

air-

at-

approach, direction

adjacent

adept, attachment, approach, enroll

before-

anteriority

anticipate, forearm

circum-

(circum-)

move around

circumscribe

circumpolar

cis-

short position

cisalpine, cisatlantic

co-

with-

con-

color-

contiguity, company

cohabit, supporting

condone

to contain

correlation

against-

opposition, joint action

contradict, nonsense, act together

in-

top-down movement, reduction

decay, ebb, decrease

un-

separation, contrary action

undo, divert, dig up

dis-

di-

right-

separation, movement to different sides, denial

to dissolve

spread

settle

in between-

middle position

between the lines, clash

ex-

s-

and-

outward move, previous state

export

drain

emigrate

extra-

outer position (out of)

unofficial, misplace

in-

im-

i-

in-

en-

inward movement

inference

immigrate

break out

pocket

to board

in-

im-

i-

go-

denial, deprivation

unhappiness

waterproof

illegal

irreparable

intra-

inner position

intracontinental

intravenous

intro-

inward movement

introduce

introversion

fair)-

position beside

juxtapose

juxtafluvial

w-

O-

forward position,

opposition

obstruct

to occur

per-

move through

go through, drill

post-

posterity

postpone,

postgraduate studies

pre-

anteriority

predisposed

prehistoric

pro-

forward movement

progress

propel

re-

backward movement, repetition

to resort,

replicate

redo

retro-

backward movement

go back

retrograde

soto-

under-

inferior position

general sota

sotopor

wing

sub-

sus-

su-

under

only-

bottom-up movement, inferiority

go up, underling

suspend

succeed

survive

uplift

super-

about-

position up, excess

superimpose

overcrowded

overlap

above-

position above, excess

above, above

trans-

rear-

tra-

three-

movement beyond, position beyond

transpose

translate

tradition

crazy

sleepless

ultra-

position beyond the limit

overtake, ultrasound

vice

vis- (vizo-)

replacement, instead of

vice dean

viscount


Prefixes of Greek origin

Prefix

Sense

Example

a-N-A-)

deprivation, denial

illiterate, anemia, atheist

a-N-A-

reverse action or movement, repetition

anachronistic, anaphylactic, anaphora

host

on both sides, around

amphibian, amphitheater

after-

separation, separation

apogee, apostate, apotheosis

archi-

arc-

arch-

arch-

superiority

archduke, arch-millionaire

archangel

archetype

archbishop

pick-up

top down movement

catalog, catalepsy, catadupa

morning-

di-

movement through, removal

diagnosis, diocese

dis-

difficulty, bad condition

dyspnea, dysentery

eh-

ex-

outward movement

eczema

exoderm

en-

in-

and-

endo-

end-

inward position, inward movement

brain

Ellipse

endothermic

endosmosis

epi-

superior position, posterity

epicenter

epidermis

epigenesis

me-

ev-

well good

euphemism, euphoria

gospel

hyper-

top position, excess

hyperbole, hypertension

hippo-

inferior position, scarcity

hypodermic

hypotension

goal-

met-

posterity change

metacarpal, metamorphosis

for-

pair-

proximity, next to

paradigm, parasite

peri-

position or movement around

perimeter, periphrase

pro-

forward position, previous

prologue, prognosis

yes-

yea-

si-

simultaneity, company

symphony, sympathy, syllable.

By Mariana Rigonatto
Graduated in Letters

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/portugues/o-e-que-prefixo.htm

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