Differences of simple, compound and derived words
Words can be studied from different points of view. If we decide focus on its morphology, that is, the structure or form of the word, we can make a division between simple, compound and derived words. This will help us know the origin of the words and even understand the meaning of some of them without having to go to the dictionary.
In this lesson from a TEACHER we are going to explain to you What are the differences between simple, compound and derived words, in addition to giving you some examples so you can see it clearly.
Before showing you the differences that exist between simple, compound and derived words, it is important that you know that A word is made up of two parts:
- Lexemeeither root: It is the invariable part of the word and the one that provides the fundamental meaning. For example: childyou.
- Morphemes: They are the grammatical elements that modify and complete the meaning of the root. For example: childyou.
Now, let's see the differences between the different types of words, according to their morphological classification.
Simple words
The simple words are those that are formed by a single entity and we also know them as primitive words. They are the ones we usually use every day when we speak or write. They are very easy to identify because they are made up of a single word and They contain a single root.
For example: Ball, blue, we found, yesterday, etc.
Compound words
The compound words are those that are formed by the union of 2 simple words, such as (mountain jumper). In this example we can see how the words jump + mount have been joined, to give rise to a new, totally different meaning, in this case an animal. When two simple words are joined to form a compound word, the primitive words may undergo some changes. These words They contain two roots.
For example: dishwasher, frogman, redhead, etc.
Derived words
Finally, the derived words are those words that derive from the same word or root; that is, they have a common lexical origin. In other words, derived words are those that are derived and undergo modifications with respect to the word from which they come. In Spanish, the way to create derived words is through suffixation, that is, adding different prefixes or suffixes to the root.
For example: love, loved, beloved, fall in love, fall in love, infatuation.
So that you can see it a little clearer, let's give you some examples of each of the categories of words according to their morphology, so that you can appreciate the differences that exist between them.
Examples of simple words
Here are some examples of simple words:
- coat
- nail
- women
- adult
- car
- black
- water
- region
- child
- air
- meal
- cloud
- bouquet
- curtain
- chance
- mayor
- notebook
- bread
- old man
- spoon
- pants
- tree
- sweet
- pavement
- asphalt
- army
- dog
- plane
- electricity
- fish
- sugar
- school
- stone
- blue
- pond
- leg
- ball
- flower
- paint
- raft
- shape
- gun
- ship
- cold
- plate
- neighborhood
- fire
- plant
Examples of compound words
We leave you with some examples of compound words:
- bottle opener
- twelfth
- briefcase
- letter opener
- electromagnetism
- lamp holder
- airport
- Congratulations
- suitcase holder
- Killjoy
- Photography
- purse
- aquamarine
- photomontage
- clipboard
- schnapps
- mudguard
- portrait
- up and down
- ranger
- kick
- collar
- parking attendant
- pointed
- valet
- coastguard
- nail polish remover
- astronaut
- bodyguard
- stain remover
- mobile home
- goalkeeper
- snowplow
- self-government
- wardrobe
- sunshade
- carwash
- bobtail
- car
- laughing stock
- radio cassette
- Ave Maria
- heliport
- skyscraper
- low tide
- seaplane
- rectilinear
- football
- peppermint
- rioplatense
- basketball
- Spanish American
- red and white
- beardless
- tin
- puzzle
- benefactor
- flamethrower
- icebreaker
- approval
- car wash
- breakwater
- dishwasher
- corkscrew
- blessed
- dishwasher
- tooth remover
- welcome
- shiner
- pencil sharpener
- cuff
- wiper washer
- salt and pepper
- bowled over
- honeysuckle
- grasshopper
- good fortune
- I thought wrong
- mat
- hustler
- extravagant
- screensaver
- crestfallen
- world map
- life jacket
- cemetery
- pacemaker
- safe passage
- morning cantamanas
- fire extinguisher
- trice
- singer-songwriter
- fly swatter
- premature
Examples of derived words
Here you can find some examples of derived words:
- Clock: watchmaker, watchmaking, clockwork, time trial, clocking.
- Pink: rose garden, pinkish, roses, rosal.
- Salt: salty, salty, saline, saline.
- Blood: bleed, bloody, bleeding, bleeding.
- Sign: signal, signaling, point out, signal.
- Silence: silence, silent, silent, silence, silently.
- Sun: solar, solstice, sunny, desolate, insolation, parasol, sunflower.
- Shade: parasol, sombre, hat, shade.
- Dream: sound, sound engineer.
- Subject: fasten, fastened, fastening.
- Tapestry: upholstery, upholstery, upholstery, upholsterer.
- Have: fork, possession, retain, contain, maintain.
- Theory: theorem, theorize, theoretically, theoretically.
- Sad: sadden, sadness, sadly, sad.
- Green: greenish, greenish, verdigris, greenwater.
- Dress: dress, clothing, undress, transvestite, clothing.
- Old: old age, aged, grow old, grow old.
- Wind: windy, wind, gale, ventilate, fan.
- Live: live together, revive, live, live, live badly.
- Shoe: shoemaker, shoemaker, shoemaker, shoemaker, shoemaker.
- Floor: trample, tread, tread, treadable, tread.
- Feather: duster, pluck, down jacket, plumage.
- Town: population, town, town, town.
- Lung: pneumonia, pulmonary, pulmonated.
- Pulse: pulse, bracelet, pulse, pulse, pulse.
- Fist: stab, dagger, fist, punch.
We hope this lesson has helped you understand the differences that exist between simple, compound and derived words and that the examples have clarified the lesson even more. Take a look at our grammar and linguistics section to continue learning more about this topic and many others related to the Spanish language.
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