Dutch Adjective Suffixes: -baar, -lijk and -zaam | B1 Dutch, Lesson 19

Welcome to B1 Lesson nineteen. In this lesson, you learn about adjective suffixes — bijvoeglijk naamwoord achtervoegsels. Dutch uses suffixes added to verb stems to create adjectives. "Dat glas is breekbaar. That glass is fragile. Dat is een begrijpelijk antwoord. That is an understandable answer. Dit is een leerzame cursus. This is an educational course. De hond is gehoorzaam. The dog is obedient. Three suffixes, all attached to the verb stem: -baar, -lijk, and -zaam". By the end of this lesson, you will recognise these adjectives in reading and listening, understand their meaning from the verb you already know, and apply the standard inflection rule correctly.

Three suffixes — one formation rule

All three suffixes follow the same formation rule. You take the ik-form — the verb stem — and add the suffix at the end. The three suffixes are -baar, -lijk, and -zaam. "-baar tells you that something is capable of being done, or that it is possible to do — the focus is on capability. Breekbaar — from breken — is it breakable? This is a question about capability. -lijk describes a quality or characteristic, often to a degree. Begrijpelijk — from begrijpen — understandable, having the quality of being understandable. -zaam also indicates a quality or tendency to a certain degree. Leerzaam — from leren" — educational, having a learning quality. The primary goal for all three is recognition. When you see one of these suffixes on an adjective, you can work out the meaning from the verb you already know.

-baar — capable, possible

Let us look at -baar in more detail. You add -baar to the ik-form of the verb. The result means capable of being X or possible to X. The defining feature of -baar adjectives is that they describe a capability — not a degree or a tendency. "Breekbaar from breken — to break — is it breakable? This is a question about capability. Eetbaar from eten — to eat — is it edible? Again, capability. Leesbaar from lezen — to read — is it legible? Oplosbaar from oplossen — to solve — is it solvable? Betaalbaar from betalen — to pay — is it affordable? Draagbaar from dragen — to carry or wear — is it portable or wearable? In each case, you are asking about the capability or possibility of performing the action — not about the extent or degree to which something has a quality. That is what makes -baar different from -lijk and -zaam".

-lijk and -zaam — to a certain degree

Now -lijk and -zaam. Both describe something to a certain degree or extent. "-lijk is added to the ik-form of the verb. Begrijpelijk from begrijpen — understandable. How understandable? To a certain degree. Hinderlijk from hinderen — annoying, bothersome. Onvergetelijk from vergeten — unforgettable. The prefix on- adds negation, just as un- does in English. -zaam also indicates a degree or tendency — the person or thing has a certain quality in their nature or behaviour. Spaarzaam from sparen — frugal, economical. Leerzaam from leren — educational, instructive. Werkzaam from werken — active, employed, working. In daily life you hear werkzame stof — the active ingredient in a medicine. Opmerkzaam — attentive, having the tendency to notice things. Both -lijk and -zaam describe a quality or tendency rather than a capability. Note: not every verb has a -zaam" form — these adjectives are best learned as vocabulary. When you encounter one, trace the verb stem and work out the meaning.

beweegbaar vs beweeglijk

The most important contrast in this lesson: "beweegbaar versus beweeglijk. Both come from the verb bewegen — to move. Beweegbaar uses -baar. It describes a capability: can it be moved? De arm van de lamp is beweegbaar. The arm of the lamp can be moved — it is designed to move. De rugleuning van de stoel is niet beweegbaar. The backrest cannot be moved — it is fixed. This is a statement of capability. Beweeglijk uses -lijk. It means: to what degree is it lively or agile? Het kind is erg beweeglijk. The child is very energetic. Katten zijn beweeglijke dieren. Cats are agile animals. This describes a quality that exists to a degree. The same contrast works for opmerkzaam and opmerkelijk. Opmerkzaam — from opmerken — attentive, having the tendency to notice things. A quality in someone's character. Opmerkelijk — remarkable, worthy of notice to a certain degree. When you see -baar, ask yourself: is this about capability or possibility? When you see -lijk or -zaam", ask: is this a quality or tendency that exists to a degree?

Inflection — the standard rule applies

These adjectives follow the standard Dutch inflection rule — the same rule you already know for all adjectives. In predicate position — after a form of zijn or worden — the adjective does not inflect. "Het boek is leerzaam. The book is educational. De dag is leerzaam. The day is educational. No -e in either case. In attributive position — directly before a noun — the rule is: add -e, except when the adjective comes before an indefinite het-word. Een leerzame les — de les is a de-word, indefinite — add -e. Een leerzaam boek — het boek is a het-word, indefinite — no -e. De leerzame les and het leerzame boek — definite in both cases — add -e. Plural: always add -e. Leerzame boeken. So the only case without -e in attributive position is the indefinite het-word. Everything else gets -e. Een leesbaar handschrift, een betaalbaar appartement, een oplosbaar probleem — all het-words with indefinite article — no -e. Een begrijpelijke uitleg, de opmerkzame student, breekbare spullen — de-word or definite or plural — +e".

Key Takeaways

Four points to remember from this lesson. First: -baar. Add -baar to the verb stem to express capability or possibility. Breekbaar, eetbaar, leesbaar, betaalbaar, oplosbaar, draagbaar. The question is: is this action possible? Is it capable of being done? Second: -lijk and -zaam. Both describe a quality to a certain degree. -lijk: begrijpelijk, hinderlijk, onvergetelijk. -zaam: spaarzaam, leerzaam, opmerkzaam. Third: the key contrast. Beweegbaar means movable — yes or no. Beweeglijk means lively, agile — to a degree. Same verb, different suffix, completely different meaning. Fourth: inflection. The standard rule applies. Add -e in all attributive positions except before an indefinite het-word. "Een leerzaam boek — no -e. Een leerzame les — +e. In predicate position, never add -e. Het boek is leerzaam." The primary goal for this lesson is recognition — when you see these adjectives, trace the suffix, identify the verb, and work out the meaning.

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