Intermediate … min read · Updated 2026-06-20

Word Formation & Affixes (prefixes/suffixes)

We build new words by adding affixes to a root. A prefix goes before the root; a suffix goes after it.

AffixTypeMeaningExample
un-prefixnotunhappy
re-prefixagainrewrite
dis-prefixoppositedisagree
-fulsuffixfull ofcareful
-lesssuffixwithoutcareless
-nesssuffixstate ofkindness

Prefix = before (un-, re-, dis-). Suffix = after (-ful, -less, -ly, -ness). Suffixes often change the word's part of speech.

Common mistake: Doubling or dropping letters wrongly: care + ful = careful (one l), but full alone has two.

✏️ Test Yourself

1. happy

2. care

3. help

4. kind

📒 Words to learn

Economy (n)
Balochi
معاشیت
Urdu
مشیشت

Indian economy is being top class day by day.

Parliament (n)
Balochi
اسمبلی
Urdu
اسمبلی

He is a Member of Parliament.

Bachelor (n)
Balochi
لونڈ
Urdu
کنوارا

A bachelor's mind is always in hurry.

Stammer (n)
Balochi
مُکوک
Urdu
رک رک کر بولنے والا

I was a stammer in my childhood.

Cobbler (n)
Balochi
موچی
Urdu
موچی

Sattar is a well-known cobbler of Baluchistan.

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