Smallness and Affection

Level 5Sounds Like áki -oúla -oúlēs

Diminutive suffixes can express small size, affection, familiarity or a speaker's attitude.

How It Works

Diminutive suffixes can express small size, affection, familiarity or a speaker's attitude.

The derived noun may have a different gender or a specialized meaning. A diminutive is not always literally smaller, and repeated diminutives can sound affectionate or patronizing depending on context.

GreekMeaning
το σπιτάκιthe little house
η μανούλαmum, affectionately
ο μικρούληςthe little one, masculine and affectionate

Examples (3)

  1. το σπιτάκι

    the little house

  2. η μανούλα

    mum, affectionately

  3. ο μικρούλης

    the little one, masculine and affectionate

How It Connects

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

Smallness and AffectionLevel 5

Learn This First

Recognize a noun’s independent gender and paradigm before interpreting a derived noun or compound.

Words in This Pattern

-άκι-ούλα-ούλης