This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Dutch to English
  3. Linguistics

ge- suffix

English translation: ge- prefix

14:05 May 26, 2011
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Linguistics / general question
Dutch term or phrase: ge- suffix
How do you describe the ge- suffix that changes [doe] to [gedoe] or [drank] to [gedrank]? I can see it's a nominalizer and that it gives some sort of negative connotation...
zabrowa
Local time: 01:23
English translation:ge- prefix
Explanation:
It is a prefix used to create a noun from a verb. This is what wiktionary has to say about it:
"Prefix
ge-

1. Used with a verb stem to create a neuter uncountable noun referring to an action or its result, seen as a single collective whole. Comparable to English -ing (although that forms countable nouns, as it does in Dutch).

[edit] Derived terms

* gedoe
* geloop
* gezeur"

It is the same prefix as is used to make the participle in verbs: "Ik heb gezien"
You're right about the slight negative connotation: al dat gepraat = all that talking, sounds like the speaker is annoyed about it.
Selected response from:

FionaT
Netherlands
Local time: 01:23
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5ge- prefix
FionaT
5ge-suffix
L.J.Wessel van Leeuwen


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
ge- prefix


Explanation:
It is a prefix used to create a noun from a verb. This is what wiktionary has to say about it:
"Prefix
ge-

1. Used with a verb stem to create a neuter uncountable noun referring to an action or its result, seen as a single collective whole. Comparable to English -ing (although that forms countable nouns, as it does in Dutch).

[edit] Derived terms

* gedoe
* geloop
* gezeur"

It is the same prefix as is used to make the participle in verbs: "Ik heb gezien"
You're right about the slight negative connotation: al dat gepraat = all that talking, sounds like the speaker is annoyed about it.


FionaT
Netherlands
Local time: 01:23
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in DutchDutch
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  W Schouten
12 mins
  -> Dank je.
agree  Bryan Crumpler
1 hr
  -> Dank je
agree  Ymkje Kuipers
1 hr
  -> Dank je
agree  Frank van Thienen (X)
3 hrs
  -> Dank je
agree  Suzan Hamer
23 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
ge-suffix


Explanation:
There is some confusion on the terms here.
SUFFIX is an addition that one adds at the END of a word or stem such as nice becomes nicely.
PREFIX is an additon that one adds before the word. Hence the ge in gedoe is a PREFIX and not a suffix...
in short, the translation for ge-suffix = is ge-suffix.


L.J.Wessel van Leeuwen
South Africa
Local time: 01:23
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in DutchDutch
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search