-tzin

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Classical Nahuatl

Etymology

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation

Suffix

-tzin

  1. (added to nouns) An honorific or caressive suffix; denotes fondness, respect, reverence or submission on behalf of the speaker.
    • 1571, Alonso de Molina, Arte de la lengua mexicana y castellana, f. 12r:
      […] a los nombres propios, Subſtantiuos y Adjetiuos, q́ ſignifican coſas animadas, o inanimadas ſeles añade algunas vezez tzin, o tzintli. Y eſto acaece, para denotar buena crianza, corteſia, o reuerencia.
      To the proper nouns, nouns and adjectives that refer to animate or inanimate things is sometimes added tzin or tzintli. This happens in order to denote a noble upbringing, courtesy, or reverence.
    huentli (“offering”) → huentzintli (“sacrifice, sacrificial offering”)
    tonān (“our mother”) → tonāntzin (“our revered mother”)
    īyeliz (“his, her, its nature”) → īyeliztzin in Dios (“God's nature, godhood”)
  2. (added to nouns) A diminutive suffix; forms nouns denoting smallness.
    pilli (“child, youth”) → piltzintli (“small child”)
    tletl (“fire”) → tletzintli (“small fire”)

Synonyms

Derived terms

Classical Nahuatl terms suffixed with -tzin

Pipil

Alternative forms

Etymology

Compare with Classical Nahuatl -tzin.

Suffix

-tzin (plural -tzintzin or (Cuisnahuat) -tzitzin)

  1. (added to nouns) An honorific or caressive suffix; denotes fondness, respect, reverence or submission on behalf of the speaker.
  2. (added to nouns) A diminutive suffix; forms nouns denoting smallness.

Further reading

  • Campbell, L. (1985). The Pipil Language of El Salvador. Mouton De Gruyter. pp. 49-50
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