-lik
The -lik Suffix
-lik builds adjectives: gevaar → gevaarlik (dangerous). Before a noun: 'n gevaarlike pad.
How It Works
1. From nouns. vriend → vriendelik (friendly), gevaar → gevaarlik (dangerous), natuur → natuurlik (natural), persoon → persoonlik (personal). A few words, such as vriendelik, add an extra e.
2. From verbs. sterf → sterflik (mortal), begryp → begryplik (understandable).
3. Words you just learn. Many common words end in -lik without an obvious base: moontlik (possible), heerlik (delicious, wonderful), eintlik (actually), gewoonlik (usually), moeilik (difficult), duidelik (clear).
4. Before a noun: -like. Like other longer adjectives (see when adjectives take -e), -lik adds -e before a noun. The k stays single because -lik is unstressed: 'n vriendelike man, heerlike kos, 'n moeilike vraag. After is there is no -e: Die pad is gevaarlik.
5. As an adverb. A -lik adjective can also describe a verb without any extra ending (see adjectives used as adverbs): Hy ry gevaarlik. (He drives dangerously.) Time words add -liks for every: dag → daagliks (daily), week → weekliks, jaar → jaarliks.
6. Opposites and nouns. Many -lik adjectives take on- for the opposite (onmoontlik) and -heid for a noun (moontlikheid).
Examples (6)
- Die mense hier is baie vriendelik.
The people here are very friendly.
Word by Word: The people here are very friendly.
- Dit is 'n gevaarlike pad.
It's a dangerous road.
Word by Word: It is a dangerous road.
Before a noun, -lik becomes -like with a single k.
- Die kos was heerlik!
The food was delicious!
Word by Word: The food was delicious!
- Is dit moontlik om vandag te betaal?
Is it possible to pay today?
Word by Word: Is it possible for today to pay?
- Ek drink gewoonlik soggens koffie.
I usually drink coffee in the morning.
Word by Word: I drink usually in-the-morning coffee.
- Die koerant verskyn daagliks.
The newspaper comes out daily.
Word by Word: The newspaper appears daily.
Common Mistakes
Doubling the k before -e.
Hy is 'n vriendelikke man.Hy is 'n vriendelike man.The -lik ending is unstressed, so its k does not double: vriendelike.
Leaving out the -e before a noun.
Dit is 'n gevaarlik pad.Dit is 'n gevaarlike pad.A -lik adjective takes -e when it stands before a noun.
Adding -e after is.
Die pad is gevaarlike.Die pad is gevaarlik.After is, an adjective keeps its plain form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The suffix -lik makes adjectives.
Related Patterns
- -igThe -ig Suffix
Another common adjective suffix that also becomes -ige before a noun.
Level 3 - Adjective + -eWhen Adjectives Take -e
The general rule behind vriendelike and gevaarlike.
Level 2 - on-The Prefix on-
The prefix that makes the opposite of many -lik adjectives: onmoontlik.
Level 3 - -heidThe -heid Suffix
Turns -lik adjectives into nouns: moontlikheid.
Level 3 - -baarThe -baar Suffix
Another adjective suffix, meaning -able.
Level 4 - Adjectives Used as Adverbs
Explains why Hy ry gevaarlik needs no extra ending.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice -lik in Bubblegum
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