Derivatives in Estonian

A derivative refers to a word that is formed from another,  e.g 'owner' from the verb 'to own'. Estonian is rich in so-called suffix derivatives, which are formed by adding endings onto words. Some of the most common derivative endings are presented below.

People

-ja: this suffix is added to the stem of the verb's -ma infinitive and indicates the agent of the verb's action, as well as an occupation. It corresponds to endings like -er, -or, -ant in English. 

-ur: this signifies someone whose job or habit it is to do something. 

-nik: this indicates a person with some kind of constant employment or and enduring situation.

-lane: this indicates a person of a certain nationality, residence or occupation.

-nna, -tar: these indicate either the female counterpart or the wife of the man which the root word describes.

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Action or result of the action

-mine: this is added to the of the verb's -ma infinitive and indicates the action of the verb in the most general sense. It corresponds to -ing in English.

-us: this indicates an action or the result of an action and is added to a verb stem.

-is: indicates the result of an action.

-e:

Abstract concepts

-us: this is added to an adjective stem.

-dus:

Place, group, area

-la: 

-stik:

-kond:

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