-aktig

-ish/-like Suffix

Level 5

The suffix -aktig is added to nouns to create adjectives. It means something is 'like' or 'has the qualities of' the noun. For example, barn (child) becomes barnaktig (childish).

How It Works

The suffix -aktig is a versatile tool in Swedish for creating new adjectives. It attaches primarily to nouns to describe something that resembles or has the qualities of that noun. The meaning is very similar to the English suffixes '-ish' or '-like'.

Formation and Meaning
You simply add -aktig to the end of a noun stem. The resulting adjective can have various connotations:

  • Neutral Resemblance: Describes a physical or abstract similarity. Ex: stenaktig (stone-like), drömaktig (dream-like).
  • Behavioral Traits (often negative): When applied to nouns for people, it can imply immaturity or negative characteristics. Ex: barnaktig (childish), grabbaktig (boyish; its positive or negative tone depends on context).
  • Positive/Neutral Traits: It can also be neutral or positive. Ex: flickaktig (girlish), lejonaktig (lion-like).

Usage with Adjectives
A key feature for advanced learners is that -aktig can also be added to some adjectives, particularly colors, to mean '-ish'. This softens the adjective, indicating a shade or approximation.
Ex: blå (blue) → blåaktig (bluish), grön (green) → grönaktig (greenish).

Inflection
Adjectives ending in -aktig are regular and follow all standard adjective agreement rules:

  • Common (en-words): en pojkaktig frisyr (a boyish hairstyle)
  • Neuter (ett-words): ett blåaktigt sken (a bluish glow)
  • Plural: fåniga, barnaktiga skämt (silly, childish jokes)
  • Definite form: den krämaktiga såsen (the creamy sauce)

Examples (5)

  1. Hans beteende var ganska barnaktigt.

    His behavior was quite childish.

    Word by Word: His behavior was quite childish.

    barn (child) + -aktig creates the adjective barnaktig. Because it describes the neuter noun beteende, it is inflected to barnaktigt.

  2. Himlen hade en gråaktig nyans.

    The sky had a grayish hue.

    Word by Word: The-sky had a grayish nuance.

    Here, -aktig is added to the adjective grå (gray) to mean 'grayish' or 'somewhat gray'.

  3. Hon rörde sig med en kattaktig smidighet.

    She moved with a cat-like agility.

    Word by Word: She moved herself with a cat-like agility.

  4. Soppan hade en krämaktig konsistens.

    The soup had a creamy consistency.

    Word by Word: The-soup had a creamy consistency.

    kräm (cream) + -aktig creates krämaktig (creamy).

  5. Det var en drömaktig upplevelse.

    It was a dream-like experience.

    Word by Word: It was a dream-like experience.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to apply adjective agreement.

    Det var ett barnaktig skämt.
    Det var ett barnaktigt skämt.

    Adjectives formed with -aktig are regular and must agree with the noun. Since 'skämt' is an ett-word, the adjective needs a '-t' ending in its indefinite form.

  • Choosing a resemblance word when established affärsmässig is intended.

    Han sköter sitt jobb på ett affärsaktigt sätt.
    Han sköter sitt jobb på ett affärsmässigt sätt.

    For professional, businesslike conduct, affärsmässigt is the established choice. Affärsaktigt could be coined to suggest a businesslike resemblance in a particular context; it is not an automatic spelling or agreement error. Choose the word that fits the intended meaning.

How It Connects

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

-aktigLevel 5-ish/-like Suffix

Learn This First

The suffix -aktig is used to derive adjectives from nouns (like 'barnaktig' from 'barn'). To use it correctly, you need to understand how adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and how Swedish word formation generally works.