Prefixes, Suffixes, and Ordinal Numbers in French
This section explains Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Ordinal Numbers in French. In French, prefixes and suffixes help to form new words by modifying the meaning of the root word. This is useful for expanding vocabulary and understanding unfamiliar words.
Using Prefixes and Suffixes in French
Foundation Tier: Prefixes (Les préfixes)
A prefix is a group of letters added before a word to change its meaning.
🔹 Common French Prefixes:
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in- / im- | Not / Opposite of | Possible → Impossible (Possible → Impossible) |
| re- | Again / Back | Faire → Refaire (To do → To redo) |
| mal- | Bad / Wrong | Heureux → Malheureux (Happy → Unhappy) |
| pré- | Before / In advance | Historique → Préhistorique (Historic → Prehistoric) |
| dé- | Reverse / Remove | Charger → Décharger (To load → To unload) |
💡 Tip: When in- comes before a word starting with "m" or "p", it changes to im- for easier pronunciation (e.g. possible → impossible).
Foundation Tier: Suffixes (Les suffixes)
A suffix is added at the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
🔹 Common French Suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ment | Turns an adjective into an adverb | Lent → Lentement (Slow → Slowly) |
| -eur / -euse | Someone who does something | Chanter → Chanteur (To sing → Singer) |
| -able | Can be done / Able to be | Lire → Lisible (To read → Readable) |
| -ité | Turns an adjective into a noun | Curieux → Curiosité (Curious → Curiosity) |
| -ette | Small version of something | Maison → Maisonnette (House → Small house) |
💡 Tip: Many adverbs in French end in -ment, similar to English adverbs ending in -ly (e.g. rapidement = quickly).
Higher Tier: More Advanced Prefixes and Suffixes
Higher-tier students should recognise more complex prefixes and suffixes to improve vocabulary.
🔹 Advanced Prefixes:
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| anti- | Against | Guerre → Antiguerre (War → Anti-war) |
| co- | Together / With | Opérer → Coopérer (To operate → To cooperate) |
| auto- | Self / By itself | Biographie → Autobiographie (Biography → Autobiography) |
🔹 Advanced Suffixes:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -isme | Doctrine / Belief system | Capital → Capitalisme (Capital → Capitalism) |
| -if / -ive | Adjective form | Actif → Active (Active → Active [feminine]) |
| -iste | Someone who follows a belief | Social → Socialiste (Social → Socialist) |
💡 Tip: Recognising suffixes like -isme or -iste can help identify political or philosophical terms (e.g. socialisme, touriste).
Using Ordinal Numbers in French
Ordinal numbers indicate the position of something in a sequence (e.g. first, second, third).
Foundation Tier: Basic Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers in French are formed by adding -ième to the cardinal number. The first few are irregular.
🔹 Ordinal Numbers 1-10:
| Number | French | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Premier / Première | Le premier jour (The first day) |
| 2nd | Deuxième / Second(e) | La deuxième rue (The second street) |
| 3rd | Troisième | La troisième fois (The third time) |
| 4th | Quatrième | Le quatrième étage (The fourth floor) |
| 5th | Cinquième | Le cinquième livre (The fifth book) |
| 6th | Sixième | La sixième année (The sixth year) |
| 7th | Septième | La septième place (The seventh place) |
| 8th | Huitième | Le huitième étage (The eighth floor) |
| 9th | Neuvième | La neuvième position (The ninth position) |
| 10th | Dixième | Le dixième exercice (The tenth exercise) |
💡 Irregular forms:
- Premier / Première (first) is irregular.
- "Second(e)" is used instead of "deuxième" only when there are only two options.
Higher Tier: Advanced Ordinal Numbers
🔹 Ordinal Numbers 11-100:
| Number | French |
|---|---|
| 11th | Onzième |
| 12th | Douzième |
| 20th | Vingtième |
| 21st | Vingt et unième |
| 30th | Trentième |
| 40th | Quarantième |
| 50th | Cinquantième |
| 100th | Centième |
💡 Numbers ending in -e drop the "e" before adding -ième
- Quatre → Quatrième
- Neuf → Neuvième
Ordinal Numbers in Context
Ordinal numbers are commonly used for:
✅Dates:
- Le premier janvier (The first of January)
- Le deuxième jour (The second day)
✅ Floors of a building:
- J’habite au troisième étage. (I live on the third floor.)
✅ Competitions & Rankings:
- Elle est arrivée en première place. (She finished in first place.)
✅ Lists & Instructions:
- Lisez le deuxième paragraphe. (Read the second paragraph.)
Summary Table: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Ordinal Numbers
| Category | Example |
|---|---|
| Prefix (Negative) | Possible → Impossible |
| Prefix (Repetition) | Faire → Refaire |
| Suffix (Adverb) | Lent → Lentement |
| Suffix (Profession) | Chanter → Chanteur |
| Ordinal Number (1st) | Premier / Première |
| Ordinal Number (10th) | Dixième |
Key Tips for GCSE Exams
✅ Recognise prefixes and suffixes to understand unfamiliar words.
✅Remember irregular ordinal numbers like premier and neuf → neuvième.
✅Practise ordinal numbers with dates and rankings.
✅Use suffixes like -ment to form adverbs (e.g. rapide → rapidement).
By mastering prefixes, suffixes, and ordinal numbers, you will significantly improve your French vocabulary and accuracy! 🎯
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