-iu

See also: iu, IU, Iu, .iu, and -iú

Catalan

Etymology

Inherited from Latin -īvus.

Suffix

-iu (adjective-forming suffix, feminine -iva, masculine plural -ius, feminine plural -ives)

1. -ive; forms adjectives denoting characteristics or qualities

Derived terms

Catalan terms suffixed with -iu

Romanian

Etymology

Probably from Latin -īvus. Mostly found in older, popular words; compare the neological borrowing -iv.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /iw/

Suffix

-iu m or n (feminine singular -ie, plural -ii)

1. Forms adjectives denoting characteristics or qualities, especially relating to color; roughly equivalent to -ive or sometimes -ish.

Usage notes

The terms formed from the suffix often have the meaning of approximating or being similar to a certain quality (from the noun or adjective it modifies); it can be comparable to some uses of -ish in English: somewhat, approximately, slightly, rather: e.g. cenușiu (“grayish”), albăstriu (“bluish”). A suffix playing a similar role in Romanian is also -ui, especially with colors.

Declension

Declension of -iu

		singular			plural
		masculine	neuter	feminine	masculine	neuter	feminine
nominative/ accusative	indefinite	-iu		-ie	-ii	-ii
	definite	-iul		-ia	-iii	-iile
genitive/ dative	indefinite	-iu		-ii	-ii	-ii
	definite	-iului		-iei	-iilor	-iilor

Derived terms

• auriu, arămiu, căpriu, castaniu, cenușiu, corbiu, cărămiziu, cafeniu, portocaliu, albăstriu, negriu, gălbiu, ruginiu, sângeriu, tuciuriu, etc.

Romanian terms suffixed with -iu

See also

• -esc
• -ui