-tà
Noun Suffix -tà
The suffix -tà (and its variants -ità, -età) creates abstract feminine nouns from adjectives. It describes a state, quality, or condition (e.g., felice → felicità).
How It Works
The suffix changes slightly depending on the ending of the base adjective:
- -ità: The most common form, used with adjectives ending in -o or -e.
Example: moderno (modern) → modernità (modernity). - -icità: Used for adjectives ending in -ico.
Example: elastico (elastic) → elasticità (elasticity). - -bilità: Used specifically for adjectives ending in -bile.
Example: probabile → probabilità. - -età: Used when the adjective ends in -io to avoid a double 'i' sound.
Example: vario → varietà. - -tà: Found in shorter words or those derived from specific Latin roots, often involving the loss of a vowel (syncope).
Examples: libero → libertà, umile → umiltà, fedele → fedeltà.
Key Characteristics:
1. Gender: These nouns are always feminine (la città, la realtà).
2. Plural: They are invariable, meaning the word itself does not change in the plural; only the article changes (la città → le città).
3. Accent: The final 'à' must always have a graphic accent mark.
Examples (5)
- La felicità è importante per tutti.
Happiness is important for everyone.
Word by Word: The happiness is important for all.
Derived from the adjective 'felice' (happy).
- Ci sono molte possibilità di successo.
There are many possibilities for success.
Word by Word: There are many possibilities of success.
Note that 'possibilità' remains the same in the plural; only the adjective 'molte' changes.
- La sicurezza dei cittadini è una priorità.
The safety of the citizens is a priority.
Word by Word: The safety of the citizens is a priority.
Both 'sicurezza' and 'priorità' are abstract nouns, but 'priorità' uses the -tà suffix.
- Apprezzo molto la tua serietà sul lavoro.
I really appreciate your professionalism/seriousness at work.
Word by Word: I appreciate much the your seriousness on the work.
Derived from 'serio'. We use -età because the base ends in -io.
- In questa città l'università è molto antica.
In this city, the university is very old.
Word by Word: In this city the university is very old.
Common nouns like 'città' and 'università' follow this pattern.
Common Mistakes
Trying to pluralize the noun by changing the ending.
Le universitàe sono grandi.Le università sono grandi.Nouns ending in a stressed vowel (like -tà) are invariable. You change the article and accompanying adjectives, but not the noun itself.
Treating the noun as masculine because it doesn't end in -a.
Il città è bello.La città è bella.Nouns ending in -tà are almost exclusively feminine. Ensure your articles and adjectives agree with the feminine gender.
Omitting the mandatory accent mark.
La liberta è un diritto.La libertà è un diritto.In Italian, the graphic accent is required on final stressed vowels. Without it, the pronunciation and word are incorrect.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the suffix -tà, learners need to know that these nouns are feminine and belong to the category of invariable nouns, which do not change their ending in the plural. A good grasp of articles and adjective agreement is essential to correctly use these nouns in context.
- Invariable Nouns
Nouns ending in -tà are invariable, meaning they do not change their form in the plural (e.g., la città, le città).
Level 1 - Adjective Agreement
Nouns ending in -tà are feminine; understanding adjective agreement is necessary to correctly modify these nouns.
Level 1 - Definite Articles
Knowledge of definite articles is required to identify the gender and number of nouns ending in -tà, as the noun ending itself does not change.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -bileAdjective Suffix -bile
Adjectives ending in -bile consistently transform into nouns ending in -bilità.
Level 3 - -zioneNoun Suffix -zione
Another common suffix for creating abstract feminine nouns, though -zione usually derives from verbs rather than adjectives.
Level 3 - Plural of Nouns
Understanding general plural rules helps highlight why -tà nouns are unique in their lack of change.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice -tà in Bubblegum
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