What are INTERFIXES?

Interfixes are linking elements that are placed inside the word to facilitate its pronunciation. At unProfesor we tell you in detail with examples.

an affix It is a type of morpheme, the smallest existing linguistic unit with grammatical meaning. That is, morphemes cannot be divided into smaller elements and serve to complement the root of the words, so that it takes on a meaning that is richer in nuances. While the lexeme provides the lexical meaning of the word, The morpheme tells us the grammatical meaning of this.

In this lesson from a TEACHER, we want to introduce you to a type of morphemes that are very necessary in our Spanish language: What are interfixes and examples.. Will you join us to discover them?

Index

1. What are interfixes: easy definition
2. Examples of interfixes
3. How to recognize an interfix
4. Prefixes and suffixes
5. Interfix exercise
6. Solutions to the interfix exercise

Interfixes are a set of letters that are inserted inside a word.

For example: The word BUTCHER It has the interfix -IC- between the root CARN- and the suffix -ERO, so that the word can be pronounced without problems.

When we add morphemes in the middle of a word we are working with a linguistic process called interfixation.

Here we help you to know identify the root of a word.

Let's put some on you examples of interfixes, so you can see how this particle works in words. Note that interfixes do not have any lexical meaning, but simply have a grammatical meaning. That is, they help the formation of the word, without providing extra information:

• temporary - Interfix: -or-
• somersault - Interfix: -er-
• herbalist - Interfix: -ol-
• guapetón - Interfix: -et-
• coffee - Interfix: -c-
• edible - Interfix: -est-
• vivaracho - Interfix: -ar-
• multiplicity - Interfix: -i-
• therapeutic - Interfix: -eut-
• widen - Interfix: -s-

More examples of interfixes

Now let's put some on you extra examples of words containing interfixes, so that you can finish understanding this lesson. We have indicated the interfix in bold so that it is easier for you to identify it:

• openeddor
• cutisyear
• breadadero
• finishedador
• coursesillwas
• dadarruch
• adriatico
• coursesillvery
• astonishmentarote
• highnero
• dentellada
• angelicto the
• worthyatAryan
• I askedgdream
• anubarrado
• sleepillon
• pedregto the
• addidure
• pedregbear
• soerbear
• enfadadizo
• peletero
• atolldero
• I spitItemgarlic
• picahbear
• avheyuch
• I spitItemina
• chopgaveto
• barrYozal
• foamargarlic
• bicharraco
• dustareda
• whiteandcino
• farftherebear
• townerino
• Bobto theicon
• forastero
• whineYoarena
• bocanada
• freshedto the
• whineillbear
• bombardero
• gasandbear
• RAMandado
• goodachon
• gloveheete
• raquideo
• buttonadure
• handsomeeton
• reidor
• rascalcvery
• hiaracha
• riachflight
• leafarascus
• rodachina
• cacandrola
• holgtozan
• saltadar
• cajetin
• bloodijuela
• limecareo
• hortto thehoist
• bloodinAryan
• calle.g.ero
• hortheyear
• bloodineo
• changeto theache
• jugarreta
• dryerto the
• changeto theada
• longgouch
• languagearaz
• areYoquete
• campisino
• Limadure
• gentlecito
• dogbirdral
• calledarada
• tende.g.on
• dogYoczar
• machtowith
• tenderete
• meatYozero
• Muhammadetyear
• therapyéutico
• caseron
• Muhammadetism

To recognize the interfix of a word, the first thing you should do is read it carefully and separate it by morphemes, that is, by small units. At this point, we will realize that the word has a root and some affixes. If the affix of the word is a prefix, we can be sure that the word will not have interfixes.

On the other hand, if we identify a suffix, our work continues. What we will have to do is cover the suffix of the word and observe the root. If we only find the pure root of the word, it means that there are no interfixes, but if we see that the root has some letters added, it will be necessary for us to identify what the interfix of the word is.

To do so, we will also cover the lexeme of the word we are analyzing and We will observe the letters that remain loose and that do not belong to either the suffix or the root of the word. It is then when we can ensure that we are in front of the interfix of a word.

For example: cloud

• Nub- is the root of the word
• -ón is the suffix of the word
• Therefore, -arr- is the infix of the word

We must take into account the differences between infixes and interfixes.

In Spanish there are two more types of affixes, in addition to interfixes: Prefixes and suffixes. However, there are some significant differences between them.

The main difference between interfixes, suffixes and prefixes is their position in the word. While interfixes are positioned in the middle of the word, Prefixes are added to the beginning of the word and suffixes are added to the end of the word.

However, prefixes and suffixes do usually provide meaning to the word, so that they can alter its original meaning.

• Prefix example: insensible
• Suffix example: agilidad

The best way to understand a lesson and have it remain in your memory is by putting into practice the concepts that we have taught you. For this reason, we propose a very simple interfix exercise in which you must indicate what the interfix of each of the words is from the following list:

• strength
• gaseous
• Street map
• creek
• skilled
• espionage
• cloud
• minnow
• sleepyhead
• coldness

We leave you with the solutions from the previous interfix exercise, so you can check if the answer you had given was correct and you have understood this lesson perfectly. If you have failed more than one, we recommend that you review the theory again and review the concepts that are not clear to you:

• fortress - interfix: al
• gaseous - interfix: e
• street - interfix: ex
• stream - interfix: ach
• skilled - interfix: id
• espionage - interfix: on
• cloud - interfix: arr
• minnow - interfix: ec
• sleepyhead - interfix: il
• coldness - interfix: al

We hope this lesson has helped you understand a little better. the interfixes and how they work in words. If you want to continue learning more about this topic or another similar one, do not hesitate to consult our grammar and linguistics section, where we will reveal all the hidden secrets of the language Spanish.

If you want to read more articles similar to What are interfixes - with examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Grammar and Linguistics.

• Dressler, W. OR. (1986). Form and function of interfixes. Spanish linguistics magazine, 16(2), 381-396.
• Camacho, J. c. M. (2000). On the linguistic problem of Spanish interfixes (Doctoral dissertation, University of Extremadura).