-ism-

-ism-: Doctrine or System

Level 5

The root before -ism- names the topic, and -ism- names the system built on it.

How It Works

RootWith -ism-Meaning
kristanokristanismoChristianity
kapitalokapitalismocapitalism, a system of private capital
kubokubismocubism, a style of painting
vegetaravegetarismovegetarianism

The meaning of -ism- depends on the root. It can name a religion, a political or economic system, a style in art, or a way of living. In each case the word names the whole idea.

Words in -ismo often have a partner in -isto. The movement is esperantismo, and a person who follows it is an esperantisto. In the same way a kristano is a Christian, and kristanismo is Christianity.

Examples (5)

  1. Ingrid estas vegetarano, kaj ŝi parolas pri vegetarismo kun siaj amikoj.

    Ingrid is a vegetarian, and she talks about vegetarianism with her friends.

    Vegetarismo is the way of living that vegetarians follow.

  2. La muzeo havas ĉambron pri kubismo.

    The museum has a room about cubism.

    Kubismo is a style of painting that uses cube shapes.

  3. En la kongreso ni parolas pri esperantismo, la movado de la lingvo.

    At the congress we talk about Esperantism, the movement of the language.

    Esperantismo is the whole movement.

  4. Dmitri legas libron pri kapitalismo kaj socialismo.

    Dmitri reads a book about capitalism and socialism.

    Both words name systems of ideas.

  5. Kenji havas grandan idealismon, kaj li laboras por la paco.

    Kenji has great idealism, and he works for peace.

    Idealismo is the doctrine of high ideals.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ism- for a person.

    Mi estas esperantismo.
    Mi estas esperantisto.

    The ending -ism- names the movement. A person who follows it is an esperantisto, with -ist-.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ism-Level 5-ism-: Doctrine or System

Learn This First

The ending -ism- names a doctrine.