mis-

Mis-: Wrongly

Level 4

Mis- keeps the meaning of the word and adds a mistake.

How It Works

VerbWith mis-Meaning
uzimisuzito use in a bad or wrong way
parolimisparolito speak wrongly
traktimistraktito treat badly
kalkulimiskalkulito calculate wrongly

The word with mis- is still the same action, only done wrongly or badly. A person who misparolas still speaks. The tense endings stay at the end: misuzas, misuzis, misuzos.

Do not mix mis- with mal-. The prefix mal- turns the meaning around: laŭdi means to praise, and mallaŭdi means to criticize. The prefix mis- keeps the meaning and adds the idea of a mistake.

Examples (4)

  1. Bonvolu ne misuzi la komputilon de la klubo.

    Please do not misuse the club's computer.

    Misuzi means to use in a bad or wrong way.

  2. Se mi misparolas, bonvolu helpi min.

    If I speak wrongly, please help me.

    Misparoli means to speak wrongly.

  3. La nova estro mistraktis la laboristojn.

    The new boss mistreated the workers.

    Mistrakti means to treat badly.

  4. Kofi misuzis sian tempon kaj ne finis la laboron.

    Kofi misused his time and did not finish the work.

    Misuzis says that he used his time badly.

Common Mistakes

  • Using mal- when you mean a mistake.

    Tomasz malkalkulis la prezon kaj pagis tro multe.
    Tomasz miskalkulis la prezon kaj pagis tro multe.

    Mal- gives the opposite meaning, and mis- gives the idea of a mistake. Tomasz made a mistake in calculating, so mis- is right.

How It Connects

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

mis-Level 4Mis-: Wrongly

Learn This First

Mis- is another prefix, like mal-.