I. Theory
As we see with English adjectives, there are several common endings for German adjectives as well. These ending parts are known as suffixes - the opposite of prefixes.| Der Film ist lustig. The film is funny. Es ist gefährlich, hier zu schwimmen. It is dangerous to swim here. Der Tunnel ist durch den Nebel nicht sichtbar. The tunnel isn’t visible through the fog. |
II. Common suffixes
A handful of suffixes are often used to create adjectives in German. In most cases, they have a general English equivalent as well. Examples of such suffixes in English include: -y, -ish, -ive, -ed, -able, and -ible.-lich (used to show characteristics of the noun before it)
Examples: behilflich, gemütlich, natürlich
- ig (often corresponds to the English -y and also conveys qualities of a noun)
Examples: heftig, großartig, blutig
-isch (equates usually to -ish, cal, or ic in English)
Examples: melodisch, Walisisch, komisch
-sam (conveys that the noun has a certain quality)
Examples: langsam, gemeinsam, mühsam
-ern (similar to -en in English. Conveys the material from which something is made)
Examples: silbern, gläsern, stählern
-haft (having the quality of a noun)
Examples: ekelhaft, fabelhaft, glaubhaft
-los (equates to English -less)
Examples: arbeitslos, sprachlos, hoffnungslos
-bar (equates to English -ful or -able)
Examples: lesbar, fruchtbar, verfügbar