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English
-ian ( euphonic variant, also spelled -aean or -æan )
-n ( when added to a word ending in a )
Etymology
From Middle English -an , regularly -ain , -ein , -en , from Old French -ain , -ein , or before i , -en (modern French -ain , -en , feminine -aine , -enne ), from Latin -ānus (feminine -āna ), which forms adjectives of belonging or origin from a noun, being -nus preceded by a vowel, from Proto-Indo-European *-nós . Cognate with English -en . Compare with -in , -ine .
Suffix
-an
Of or pertaining to; an adjectival suffix appended to various words, often nouns, to make an adjective form . ( Often added to words of Latin origin, but also used with words of other origins. When a word ends in a , -n is used instead. )
Synonyms: -al , -ar , -ese , -esque , -ic , -id , -ish , -like , -oid , -ous , -y
Rome + -an → Roman
Appended to nouns to form an agent noun . ( When males with a profession are distinguished from females, males are -an , females -(i)enne . )
comedy + -an → comedian
history + -an → historian
Derived terms
Translations
Anagrams
Azerbaijani
Suffix
preceding vowel
A / I / O / U
E / Ə / İ / Ö / Ü
postconsonantal
-an
-ən
postvocalic
-yan
-yən
-an
Postconsonantal form of -ən after the vowels A / I / O / U.
Bikol Central
Etymology
From Proto-Philippine *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an .
Suffix
-an
a place where a large quantity of the thing meant by the root is put, planted, or can be found
basura ( “ trash ” ) + -an → basurahan ( “ trash can ” )
a place where the action expressed by the root is performed
kawat ( “ play ” ) + -an → kawatan ( “ playground ” )
Cebuano
Etymology
From Proto-Philippine *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an (verb-forming suffix , inchoative gi- -an , contemplative -an , imperative -i , negative -i )
locative trigger verb suffix ; to do at, in, on a place
palitan nako ang tindahan og kendi I will buy candy at the store ( store is focused.)
directive verb suffix ; to do at, towards someone
gikataw-an niya ang lalaki ― he laughed at the man
partitive verb suffix ; to do to a part of something
gikuhaan niyag gamay ang keyk ― he took a little of the cake.
benefactive trigger verb suffix ; to do something for someone/something else
palitan nako ang bata og keyk I will buy cake for the child ( child is focused.)
causative verb affix ; to do because of , due to
unsay gihilakan nimo? ― What is it you are crying about?
( with adjective bases ) to consider something as
lisoran siya mag-Tinagalog ― He finds speaking in Tagalog hard
( with noun bases ) to put something on someone; to give someone
serohan ta ka ― I will give you a zero
sapatosan nako ang bata ― I will put shoes on the child
Derived terms
Suffix
-an (noun-forming suffix )
( added to nouns and verbs ) indicates a place where such objects are found, placed, or action done
Synonyms: -anan , ka- -an
humay ( “ rice ” ) + -an → humayan ( “ rice paddy ” )
tinda ( “ to sell ” ) + -an → tindahan ( “ store ” )
tuba ( “ palm toddy ” ) + -an → tubaan ( “ place where toddy is sold ” )
basketbol + -an → basketbolan ( “ basketball court ” )
( uncommon ) indicates an object used as an instrument
Synonym: pang-
baid ( “ to sharpen ” ) + -an → bairan ( “ whetstone ” )
Suffix
-an (adjective-forming suffix )
( added to nouns ) characterized by having something in abundance ; -ful
utok ( “ brain ” ) + -an → utokan ( “ brainy ” )
kuwarta ( “ money ” ) + -an → kuwartahan ( “ rich ” )
( uncommon , added to adjectives or verbs) characterized by being or doing such ; -ly
Synonyms: -on , -anon
talaw ( “ to back off ” ) + -an → talawan ( “ cowardly ” )
langas ( “ moving about a lot ” ) + -an → langasan ( same meaning )
Derived terms
References
John U. Wolff (1972 ) A dictionary of Cebuano Visayan (overall work in Cebuano and English), Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, page 41
Chuukese
Suffix
-an
( added to possessive nouns ) his , hers , its
Chuukese possessive determiners
Cimbrian
Etymology
From Middle High German -en , a merger of various terminations in Old High German reflecting different conjugational patterns, namely -an , -ōn , -en (-ien ), and -nen , from Proto-Germanic *-aną , *-ōną , *-janą , *-āną , and *-naną . Cognate with German -en .
Suffix
-an
A suffix of all verbs in their infinitive form.
Czech
Etymology
Inherited from Old Czech -ěnín , from Proto-Slavic *-janinъ .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an m anim (noun-forming suffix , female equivalent -anka )
forms nouns, including inhabitant names
Derived terms
Further reading
-an in Slovník afixů užívaných v češtině , 2017
Esperanto
Suffix
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-an
Obsolete form of -am .
See also
Finnish
Etymology 1
From earlier -han , -hVn ( now dialectal ) , from Proto-Finnic *-hën , *-sën ( passive or reflexive suffix ) , the same as the third-person singular possessive suffix (see the possessive suffix entry on -Vn ). Initial -ta- is from the passive marker *-tta- .
Suffix
-an (front vowel harmony variant -än , linguistic notation -An )
( personal ) Forms the impersonal indicative present forms of verbs, appended to the first infinitive.
Usage notes
Attached to the passive verb stem.
Etymology 2
See -Vn ( illative suffix ) .
Suffix
-an (front vowel harmony variant -än , linguistic notation -An )
( case suffix ) A suffix variant for the illative singular, see -Vn .
laiva + -an → laivaan
Etymology 3
See -Vn ( possessive suffix ) .
Suffix
-an (front vowel harmony variant -än , linguistic notation -An )
( possessive ) A variant for the third-person suffix -nsa .
Usage notes
See the usage notes under -Vn and -nsa .
Anagrams
Fula
Affix
-an
( Pulaar ) indicates that the subject is doing the verb for someone or something
defde ( “ to cook ” ) + -an → defande ( “ to cook for someone ” )
References
M. Niang, Pulaar-English English-Pulaar Standard Dictionary , New York: Hippocrene Books, 1997.
German
Etymology
From Latin -ānus .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an n (genitive -ans , plural -ane )
( organic chemistry ) -ane
Hungarian
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Suffix
-an
( deadjectival adverb-forming suffix) Added to an adjective to create an adverb .
pontos ( “ accurate ” ) + -an → pontosan ( “ accurately ” )
( denumeral and depronominal adverb-forming suffix) Added to a numeral or a pronoun with this sense to create an adverb , expressing the number of people.
hat ( “ six ” ) + -an → hatan ( “ six people, six of us/you/them ” )
Hatan mentünk moziba. ― Six of us went to the cinema.
nyolc ( “ eight ” ) + -an → nyolcan ( “ eight people, eight of us/you/them ” )
Nyolcan vannak a szobában. ― There are eight people in the room.
hány ( “ how many ” ) + -an → hányan ( “ how many (of us/you/them) ” )
néhány ( “ some, a few ” ) + -an → néhányan ( “ some (of us/you/them) ” )
sok ( “ many ” ) + -an → sokan ( “ many (of us/you/them) ” )
Sokan vannak a meghívottak, de kevesen a választottak. ― For many are called, but few are chosen.
millió ( “ million ” ) + -an → millióan ( “ a million (of us/you/them) ” )
Usage notes
( deadjectival adverb-forming suffix ) Variants:
-n is added to words ending in a vowel. Final -a changes to -á- . Final -e changes to -é- .
-an is added to most back-vowel words ending in a consonant
-on is added to some back-vowel words ending in a consonant
-en is added to front-vowel words ending in a consonant, as well as some front-vowel words ending in a vowel. Their original word-final vowel may be lost (e.g. könnyű ) or supplemented with a consonant (e.g. bő , hű ).
( denumeral and depronominal adverb-forming suffix ) Variants:
-n is added to some (very few) words ending in a vowel. Final -a changes to -á- . Final -e changes to -é- .
-an is added to back-vowel words ending in a consonant
-en is added to front-vowel words ending in a consonant, as well as some front-vowel words ending in a vowel. Their original word-final vowel may be lost (e.g. kettő ).
Derived terms
Etymology 2
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Suffix
-an
( verb-forming suffix ) Added to a stem ― often an onomatopoeia ― to form a verb expressing an instantaneous action.
kattan ( “ to click, to make one clicking sound ” )
robban ( “ to explode ” )
Usage notes
( verb-forming suffix ) Variants:
-on is added to some back-vowel words
-an is added to back-vowel words
-en is added to front-vowel words
Derived terms
See also
Further reading
Indonesian
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Malay -an , from Proto-Malayic *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an .
Suffix
-an
Added to a noun
Suffix for collectivity
laut ( “ sea ” ) + -an → lautan ( “ ocean ” )
Suffix for place
pangkal ( “ origin ” ) + -an → pangkalan ( “ base ” )
Suffix for value
ribu ( “ thousand ” ) + -an → ribuan
Suffix for measurement result ; -s
kilo ( “ kilo ” ) + -an → kiloan
( colloquial ) -s ; Suffix for quantity (about value)
ratus ( “ hundred ” ) + -an → ratusan ( “ hundreds ” )
-ly , specifying time intervals, having the sense of "occurring at such intervals".
hari ( “ day ” ) + -an → harian ( “ daily ” )
Added to a verb to create a noun
Suffix for object
makan ( “ to eat ” ) + -an → makanan ( “ food ” )
Suffix for place
kubur ( “ to bury ” ) + -an → kuburan ( “ grave ” )
Suffix for result
didik ( “ to educate ” ) + -an → didikan
Suffix for tool
timbang ( “ to weigh ” ) + -an → timbangan ( “ balance ” )
Suffix for way or method
pimpin ( “ to lead ” ) + -an → pimpinan ( “ leader ” )
Added to an adjective to create a noun
Suffix for having property
asin ( “ salty ” ) + -an → asinan ( “ pickle ” )
( colloquial ) Suffix for intensity (quality or quantity)
tinggi ( “ high ” ) + -an → tinggian ( “ higher ” )
Suffix for similarity
Etymology 2
Semantic loan from Javanese -ꦲꦤ꧀ ( -an ) .
Suffix
-an
verb-forming
( colloquial ) to use of
sepeda ( “ bicycle ” ) + -an → sepedaan ( “ to ride a bicycle ” )
( colloquial ) to hold or to have
selamat ( “ safe ” ) + -an → selamatan ( “ to celebrate with offerings to the spirits to assure safety ” )
rujak ( “ a kind of salad ” ) + -an → rujakan ( “ to have rujak to be eaten or made ” )
( colloquial ) to do as indicated by the
sendiri ( “ alone ” ) + -an → sendirian ( “ by oneself ” )
noun-forming
( colloquial ) the location of
sekolah ( “ school ” ) + -an → sekolahan ( “ school complex ” )
( colloquial ) the cost of
becak ( “ rickshaw ” ) + -an → becakan ( “ rickshaw fare ” )
( colloquial ) -usage
sepeda ( “ bicycle ” ) + -an → sepedaan ( “ bicycle-riding ” )
( colloquial ) event of
selamat ( “ safe ” ) + -an → selamatan ( “ celebration with offerings to the spirits to assure safety ” )
rujak ( “ a kind of salad ” ) + -an → rujakan ( “ rujak eating or production” )
susu ( “ milk ” ) + -an → susuan ( “ breast-feeding period ” )
Etymology 3
Semantic loan from Javanese -ꦲꦼꦤ꧀ ( -en ) .
Suffix
-an
( colloquial ) suffering of
koreng ( “ ulcer ” ) + -an → korengan ( “ serious infection disease ” )
uban ( “ grey hair ” ) + -an → ubanan ( “ grey haired condition ” )
Derived terms
References
Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa (2017 ) Tata Bahasa Baku Bahasa Indonesia [Standard Grammar of Indonesian Language ] (in Indonesian), 4 edition, Jakarta: Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, →ISBN , archived from the original on 13 June 2022
James N. Sneddon (2010 ) Indonesian : a comprehensive grammar , 2 edition, London: Roultedge, →ISBN , →OCLC
Irish
Suffix
-an
forms verbal nouns
Derived terms
Further reading
Stenson, Nancy (2020 ) Modern Irish: A Comprehensive Grammar , London: Routledge, →ISBN , page 117
Kapampangan
Etymology
From Proto-Philippine *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an . Compare Tagalog -an Bikol Central -an , Cebuano -an .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an
object trigger : to do something to a person or a thing
Buklatan me ining lata. ― (You) open this can ( can is focused).)
object trigger : to cause something to become; to make; because; due
Begalan neng Julia ing pamamasa. ― Julia slowed down her reading. ( reading is focused.)
directional trigger : to do something in the direction of
Salubungan ke I Reniel. ― I'm going to meet Reniel. ( Reniel is focused).)
benefactive trigger : to do something for
Panagan keng pamangan I Simon. ― I'll leave some food for Simon. ( food is focused).)
object trigger : ( with root word reduplication ) to do something occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then or here and there
Wawasan-wasan koreng pinggan. ― I'm washing the plates. ( The plates is focused).)
directional trigger : ( with root word reduplication ) to do something in the direction of, occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then or here and there
Susopan-sopan neng Eli I Kate. ― Eli helped Kate a bit. ( Kate is focused).)
object trigger : to perform the action of the verb on something
Esusulatanan ing libru. ― Don't write anything on the book.
Suffix
-an
Forms locative nouns indicating places where a significant object referred to by the root is placed, planted, or commonly found.
tambay ( “ idle ” ) + -an → tambayan ( “ place to hangout ” )
basura ( “ trash ” ) + -an → basuran ( “ trash can ” )
Forms Locative nouns for places where the root's action occurs
pagawa ( “ create ” ) + -an → pagawaan ( “ workshop ” )
sake ( “ ride ” ) + -an → sakayan ( “ station, car, vehicle... ” )
Forms nouns for periods when the root's action is collectively performed.
libang ( “ hobby ” ) + -an → libangan ( “ entertainment ” )
pilub ( “ entry, class, work ” ) + -an → piluban ( “ school time, school year ” )
Forms nouns indicating a tool or an object that is used to perform what is meant by the root
oras ( “ time ” ) + -an → orasan ( “ clock, watch ” )
timbang ( “ weight ” ) + -an → timbangan ( “ weighing scale ” )
Forms nouns signifying reciprocal or joint performance of the action expressed by the root
terak ( “ dance ” ) + -an → terakan ( “ dancing together ” )
dalit ( “ sing ” ) + -an → dalitan ( “ singing together ” )
Used to create a diminutive, pretensive, or imitative form of something ( used with reduplication of root word )
bale ( “ house ” ) + -an → bale-balayan ( “ toy house ” )
biasa ( “ knowledge ” ) + -an → biasa-biasan ( “ know-it-all ” )
baril ( “ gun ” ) + -an → baril-barilan ( “ toy gun ” )
Suffix
-an
( appended to numbers ) Used to indicate groups.
Adua ( “ two ” ) + -an → aduaan ( “ in twos, two at a time ” )
Atlu ( “ three ” ) + -an → atluan ( “ in groups of three, three at a time ” )
Usage notes
Derived terms
Malay
Etymology 1
From Proto-Malayic *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an .
Pronunciation
IPA (key ) : /-an/
Hyphenation: -an
Suffix
-an (Jawi spelling after consonant or -ن , Jawi spelling after -ان , Jawi spelling after non- or vowel -اءن )
Suffix for collectivity
Suffix for similarity
Suffix for object
Suffix for place
Suffix for instrument
bangun ( “ to wake up, to get up ” ) + -an → bangunan ( “ building ” )
Descendants
Etymology 2
Borrowed from English -ant , from Middle English -ant , -aunt , partly from Old French -ant , from Latin -āns ; and partly (in adjectival derivations) continuing Middle English -ant , a variant of -and , -end , from Old English -ende ( present participle ending ) .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an (Jawi spelling -ن )
( non-productive ) -ant
militan ― militant
Derived terms
Manx
Etymology
From Old Irish -án , from Primitive Irish -ᚐᚌᚅᚔ ( -agni ) .
Suffix
-an m
Alternative form of -ane
Derived terms
Mokilese
Suffix
-an
Used to form stative verbs from nouns
Ojibwe
Final
-an
be in a state or condition
Derived terms
See also
References
Suffix
-an
A suffix denoting the plural of an inanimate noun
A suffix denoting the obviative form of an animate noun
A suffix denoting the second-person singular imperative of a transitive inanimate verb (vti)
Usage notes
As the suffix denoting the second-person singular imperative form, -an also acts as the class marker for unmarked (-am theme) transitive inanimate verbs (vti).
See also
Old English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Proto-Germanic *-aną .
Suffix
-an
( verbal suffix ) used to form the infinitive of most class I verbs (exceptions are verbs like flēon ( “ to flee ” ) )
singan ― to sing
niman ― to take
Usage notes
Verbs formed with this suffix from nominal suffixes that included back vowels underwent i-umlaut . Thus, dōm + -an is not *dōman , but dēman , and fōda + -an is not *fōdan , but fēdan .
Conjugation
infinitive
-an
-enne
indicative mood
present tense
past tense
first person singular
-e
-de
second person singular
-est , -st
-dest
third person singular
-eþ , -þ
-de
plural
-aþ
-don
subjunctive
present tense
past tense
singular
-e
-de
plural
-en
-den
imperative
singular
-
plural
-aþ
participle
present
past
-ende
-ed
Etymology 2
From Proto-West Germanic *-anā , from Proto-Germanic *-anē .
Suffix
-an
Forms adverbs with ablative direction.
ēastan ― from the east
westan ― from the west
Etymology 3
Suffix
-an
Forms the accusative, genitive, and dative singular and nominative and accusative plural of n-stem nouns
Old Galician-Portuguese
Etymology
Inherited from Latin -ant .
Suffix
-an (1st conj. )
a suffix indicating the third-person plural indicative present of a verb in -ar
amar ( “ to love ” ) + -an → aman ( “ love ” )
cantar ( “ to sing ” ) + -an → cantan ( “ sing ” )
Descendants
Old Norse
Etymology 1
Presumably from Proto-Germanic *-ōniz .
Suffix
-an
( deverbative suffix ) Used to derive nouns from class 2 weak verbs.
friða ( “ to pacify ” ) + -an → friðan ( “ pacifying ” )
sanna ( “ to assert, prove ” ) + -an → sannan ( “ assertion, confirmation ” )
synja ( “ to deny ” ) + -an → synjan ( “ denial ” )
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Inherited from Proto-Norse -ᚨᚾᚨ ( -ana ) , from Proto-Germanic *-anē .
Suffix
-an
Forms adverbs with ablative direction.
Derived terms
Etymology 3
Suffix
-an
strong accusative singular ending of adjectives
Old Saxon
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *-aną .
Suffix
-an
( verbal suffix ) used to form the infinitive of strong verbs (exceptions are a few verbs ending in -ian like biddian or liggian )
drinkan ( “ to drink ” )
hwerƀan ( “ to travel ” )
Phalura
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an
Third person plural suffix
-íin ( With e-ending verb stems )
-óon ( With a-ending verb stems )
-en ( Biori )
-éen ( With e-ending verb stems in Biori )
-áan ( With a-ending verb stems in Biori )
References
Henrik Liljegren, Naseem Haider (2011 ) “-an”, in Palula Vocabulary (FLI Language and Culture Series; 7) , Islamabad, Pakistan: Forum for Language Initiatives, →ISBN
Polish
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an m
( chemistry ) -ate , used to form names of derivates of oxyacids whose name ends with -owy ( -ic )
chlor ( “ chlorine ” ) + -an → chloran ( “ chlorate ” )
forms people
młody + -an → młodzian
Declension
Inanimate declension:
Animate declension:
Derived terms
Further reading
-an in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Romanian
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Latin -anus .
Suffix
-an m or n (feminine singular -ană , masculine plural -ani , feminine and neuter plural -ane )
Forms adjectives and nouns describing things and characteristics of a city, region, or country; -an
Australia ( “ Australia ” ) + -an → australian ( “ Australian ” )
America ( “ America ” ) + -an → american ( “ American ” )
Usage notes
For the countries that end in -ia , the plural form of the suffix is -ieni when masculine and -iene when feminine/neuter.
Etymology 2
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Suffix
-an m or n (feminine singular -ană , masculine plural -ani , feminine and neuter plural -ane )
Added to nouns and adjectives as an augmentative suffix.
gras ( “ fat ” ) + -an → grăsan ( “ fatso ” )
Forms names of male animals.
gâscă ( “ goose ” ) + -an → gâscan ( “ gander ” )
Declension
Derived terms
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology 1
From Middle Irish , from Old Irish -án .
Pronunciation
IPA (key ) : /-an/
Note the difference with Etymology 2
Suffix
-an m
A masculine suffix used to form nouns meaning a smaller form of something, often used for male given names .
crùb ( “ dug ” ) + -an → crùban ( “ crouching ” )
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Originally the Old Irish accusative and vocative plural ending of n -stem nouns. For example Old Irish imbliu , vocative/accusative plural imblenna . Cognate with Irish -anna , Manx -yn .
Pronunciation
IPA (key ) : /ən/
Note the difference with Etymology 1
Suffix
-an
Used to form regular nominatives plural of nouns.
clach ( “ stone ” ) + -an → clachan ( “ stones ” )
References
Colin Mark (2003 ) The Gaelic-English dictionary , London: Routledge, →ISBN , page 641
Serbo-Croatian
Etymology 1
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Suffix
-an (Cyrillic spelling -ан )
Suffix appended to words to create a masculine noun, usually denoting a (often negative) feature or endearment.
Etymology 2
Inherited from Proto-Slavic *-ьnъ .
Suffix
-an (Cyrillic spelling -ан )
Suffix appended to words to create an adjective.
jad(iti) + -an → jadan ( “ miserable ” )
Derived terms
See also
Spanish
Etymology 1
From Latin -ant , the third-person plural present active indicative ending of first conjugation verbs.
Suffix
-an
Suffix indicating the third-person plural (also used with ustedes ) present indicative of -ar verbs.
Etymology 2
From Latin -eant , Latin -ant , and Latin -iant , the third-person plural present active subjunctive endings of second, third, and fourth conjugation verbs, respectively.
Suffix
-an
Suffix indicating the third-person plural (also used with ustedes ) present subjunctive of -er and -ir verbs.
Suffix indicating the third-person plural imperative of -er and -ir verbs.
See also
Swedish
Etymology 1
From Old Norse -an .
Suffix
-an
making a noun from a verb, similar to -ing and -ning , having -ningar as the plural.
predika ( “ to preach ” ) + -an → predikan ( “ a sermon ” )
Etymology 2
Ultimately from Latin -anus .
Suffix
-an
-an ; making a noun, describing a person by belief or nationality
Tibet + -an → tibetan
Luther + -an → lutheran
vegetarian
Derived terms
Anagrams
Tagalog
Etymology
From Proto-Philippine *-an , from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an , from Proto-Austronesian *-an .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-an (verb-forming suffix , Baybayin spelling ◌ᜈ᜔ or ᜀᜈ᜔ )
object trigger : to do something to a person or a thing
Buksan mo ang pinto. ― (You) open the door ( door is focused).)
object trigger : to cause something to become; to make
Binagalan ni Sue ang kotse. ― Sue slowed down the car. ( The car is focused.)
directional trigger : to do something in the (physical or psychological) direction of
Tinitingnan ko ang manwal. ― I'm looking at the manual. ( The manual is focused).)
benefactive trigger : to do something for
Titirhan ko si Roy ng keyk. ― I'll leave some cake for Roy. ( Roy is focused).)
object trigger : ( with root word reduplication ) to do something occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then or here and there
Winawalis-walisan ; ko ang sahig. ― I'm sweeping the floor a bit. ( The floor is focused).)
directional trigger : ( with root word reduplication ) to do something in the (physical or psychological) direction of, occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then or here and there
Tinutulung-tulungan ni Jessy si Patty. ― Jessy helped Patty a bit. ( Patty is focused).)
object trigger : to perform the action of the verb on something
Huwag mong sulatan ang dokumento. ― Don't write anything on the document.
Suffix
-an (noun-forming suffix , Baybayin spelling ◌ᜈ᜔ or ᜀᜈ᜔ )
Forms locative nouns expressing where a large quantity of the thing meant by the root is put, planted, or can be found
aklat ( “ book ” ) + -an → aklatan ( “ library ” )
basura ( “ trash ” ) + -an → basurahan ( “ trash can ” )
Forms locative nouns where the action expressed by the root is performed
kain ( “ eat ” ) + -an → kainan ( “ place where people eat e.g. restaurant, café,... ” )
Forms nouns expressing period in which the action expressed by the root is collectively performed
ani ( “ harvest ” ) + -an → anihan ( “ harvest time ” )
pasok ( “ entry, class, work ” ) + -an → pasukan ( “ school time, school year ” )
Forms nouns indicating a tool or an object that is used to perform what is meant by the root
oras ( “ time ” ) + -an → orasan ( “ clock, watch ” )
timbang ( “ weight ” ) + -an → timbangan ( “ weighing scale ” )
Forms nouns signifying reciprocal or joint performance of the action expressed by the root
sayaw ( “ dance ” ) + -an → sayawan ( “ dancing together ” )
kanta ( “ sing ” ) + -an → kantahan ( “ singing together ” )
Used to create a diminutive, pretensive, or imitative form of something ( used with reduplication of root word )
bahay ( “ house ” ) + -an → bahay-bahayan ( “ toy house ” )
Diyos ( “ God ” ) + -an → diyos-diyosan ( “ false god ” )
baril ( “ gun ” ) + -an → baril-barilan ( “ toy gun ” )
Suffix
-an (adverb-forming suffix , Baybayin spelling ◌ᜈ᜔ or ᜀᜈ᜔ )
( appended to numbers ) Used to indicate groups.
tatlo ( “ three ” ) + -an → tatluhan ( “ in threes, three at a time ” )
dalawampu ( “ twenty ” ) + -an → dalawampuan ( “ in groups of twenty, twenty at a time ” )
Usage notes
Normally, /h/ is inserted before -an when a root word ending with a vowel is not followed by a glottal stop. In some cases, phoneme change can occur and /h/ becomes /n/ .
ganti + -an → gantih an
talo + -an → talun an
Sometimes, the final vowel of the root word disappears when the suffix is added.
sunod + -an → sundan
takip + -an → takpan
Due to allophony , /d/ turns into /r/ when inserted before -an .
buklod + -an → buklur an
bakod + -an → bakur an
bayad + -an → bayar an
Derived terms
Anagrams
Turkish
Etymology
From Ottoman Turkish ـان ( -an ) , from Old Anatolian Turkish , from Proto-Turkic *-gan .
Suffix
-an
Creates non-past participles.
oturmak ( “ to sit ” ) + -an → oturan ( “ (someone) who sits ” )
kırılmak ( “ to be broken ” ) + -an → kırılan ( “ (something) that gets broken ” )
Volapük
Suffix
-an
Used to indicate someone who is or does something
Derived terms
Welsh
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Proto-Celtic *-agnos .
Suffix
-an
diminutive suffix , -let
bwyell ( “ axe ” ) + -an → bwyellan ( “ small axe, hatchet ” )
gwraig ( “ woman, wife ” ) + -an → gwreigan ( “ little woman, little wife ” )
barf ( “ beard ” ) + -an → barfan ( “ little beard, goatee, whiskers ” )
person or object with characteristics of the root word
mud ( “ mute ” ) + -an → mudan ( “ mute person ” )
llai ( “ grey ” ) + -an → lleian ( “ nun ” )
crwm ( “ crooked, curved ” ) + -an → cryman ( “ sickle, pruning hook ” )
used to form pet names
Gwen + -an → Gwennan
Dai + -an → Deian
Elisabeth + -an → Bethan
Etymology 2
Suffix
-an
verbnoun suffix
Etymology 3
Suffix
-an
( colloquial ) verb suffix for the third-person future plural
Derived terms
References
R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “-an ”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies