English

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form regular plurals of nouns.

   one computer → five computers

2. Used to form many pluralia tantum (nouns that are almost or entirely without singular forms).

   shorts, sunglasses

Usage notes

• (regular plurals): In semi-formal or formal contexts, where the plurality of a noun depends on some unknown aspect of the sentence, the s may be parenthesised: "The winner(s) will be invited to a prize ceremony."

Translations

The translations below are a guide only. See individual words for precise translations.

See also

Derived terms

• see Category:English plurals

Etymology 2

From Middle English -(e)s (third person singular ending of verbs) from Northern Old English (Northumbian dialect) -es, -as (third person singular ending). Replaced historical Old English third person singular ending -(e)þ, -aþ (-eth). Possibly due to Scandinavian influence or related to -es, -as, second-person singular ending of verbs. More at -est

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the third-person singular indicative present tense of verbs.

   to eat → he eats

See also

Derived terms

see Category:English third-person singular forms

Etymology 3

From Middle English -es, from Old English -es ‎(“masc-neut genitive ending of most nouns”). More at -'s.

Suffix

-s

1. (not productive) used in the formation of certain English adverbs.

   backwards; downwards; homewards; inwards; outwards; sidewards; skywards; towards; upwards; betides; besides; betimes; sometimes;

   always; sideways; crossways; anyways; unawares; needs; eftsoons; anyhows; whiles; athwartships; amidships; upstairs; downstairs;

   eastwards; westwards; southwards; northwards; leewards; forwards; shorewards; landwards; seawards; sternwards; larboards;

   starboards; ofttimes; evenings; otherwhiles;

Derived terms

• -st

Etymology 4

By dropping the apostrophe in 's.

Suffix

-s

1. (usually nonstandard) Alternative form of 's

Usage notes

• In most cases where -s is found as a possessive case marker, it is a simple misspelling of -'s.
• However, personal pronouns' possessive forms use -s (e.g. theirs, not their's).
• Furthermore, in British English, bare -s is used in some business names that derive from possessive family names, e.g. Barclays and Harrods (originally Barclay's, Harrod’s), but compare Sainsbury’s; see Wikipedia's article on possessives in business names. In speech, /s/ is sometimes added to business names which have neither -s nor -'s in writing, resulting in s-forms, which see.

Etymology 5

Shortened form of -sy.

Suffix

-s

1. Diminutive suffix

   Babs; moms; pops; homes; Toots

Derived terms

Danish

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the genitive case of nouns.

   Danmarks dronning — the Queen of Denmark

   Københavns snefald — snowfall in Copenhagen

Dutch

Etymology 1

Unknown. Not present in Old Dutch, which used -a from Proto-Germanic *-ōz as the plural ending. Possibly spread from Middle Low German -s, -es, from Old Saxon -os, -as, from Proto-Germanic *-ōs. Further etymology is unknown, but cognate with Old English -as.

Suffix

-s pl

1. Used to form regular plurals of nouns that end in certain suffixes or syllables, such as -el, -er, -en, -em, -eur, -aar, -aard, diminutive -je, etc.

   bodem - bodems

2. Used to form irregular plurals of many other nouns, chiefly of foreign origin.

   telefoon - telefoons

Usage notes

• Nouns ending in unstressed -e generally have a plural in -s and one in -n (ziekte > ziektes, ziekten). Individual words, however, allow just one of the two ways.
• Most words of Latin origin ending in -um are pluralized either with the suffix -s (museum > museums) or by replacing -um with -a (> musea). The latter tends to be preferred in formal style.

Etymology 2

From the genitive case of masculine and neuter nouns and adjectives, Middle Dutch -s, -es, from Old Dutch -es, -is, from Proto-Germanic *-as, *-is.

Suffix

-s

1. (archaic, except in fixed expressions) Used to form the genitive case of (strong) masculine and neuter nouns.

   tijd - de tand des tijds

2. Used to form the genitive case of proper nouns and some pronouns.

   Pieter - Pieters jas

   iemand - iemands jas

3. Used to form the partitive form of the adjective

   lief - iets liefs

4. Used to form adverbs

   stad - steeds

Derived terms

The adverbial/adjectival -s combines with other suffixes like :

• -lijk → -lijks
• -je → -jes
• -ling → -lings
• -waarts

Etymology 3

From earlier -sch, from Middle Dutch -sch, from Old Dutch -isc, from Proto-Germanic *-iskaz (from which also -isch via German), from Proto-Indo-European *-iskos.

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form adjectives of characteristic from nouns.

   winter - winters

   spel - speels

2. Used to form adjectives or language names from names of nations or countries.

   Engeland - Engels

   Finland - Fins

Estonian

Suffix

-s ‎(genitive -sa, partitive -sat)

1. creates adjectives from nouns

   au "honour" → aus "honest"

   ilu "beauty" → ilus "beautiful"

   lõbu "pleasure" → lõbus "fun"

Inflection

Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Proto-Finnic *-c.

Suffix

-s ‎(genitive -nda, partitive -ndat)

1. forms ordinal numbers from cardinal numbers

   kolm "three" → kolmas "third"

   kuus "six" → kuues "sixth"

Inflection

Finnish

Etymology 1

From Proto-Finnic *-c.

Suffix

-s

1. Forms ordinal numbers from cardinal numbers, or ordinal pronouns.

   mones

Usage notes

Added to the genitive singular (weak grade) stem.

Declension

Back vowel harmony:

Front vowel harmony:

Etymology 2

Particle

-s

1. (enclitic) When appended to a second-person singular or plural imperative, gives the command or request slightly rude or impatient tone—often with different verbs and different independent particles adjacent, the tone is different:

   • Kuules nyt! (addressing one person)
     • Now do listen! (with nyt, quite an established expression of frustration, speaker very impatient)
   • Kuulkaas nyt! (addressing many persons or formally one person)
     • Now do ye listen! (same tone as above)
   • Tees nämä tehtävät. (addressing one person, tone less impatient)
     • Go do these tasks.

2. (enclitic) When appended to the particle -pa/-pä that is appended to a second-person imperative, gives the command or request a slightly more persuasive or inspiring tone:

   • Laitapas lautaset pöytään.
     • Hey, go put the plates on the table.

3. (enclitic) Mainly in informal contexts: a particle appended to an interrogative suffix -ko/-kö of the verb conjugated (also -kö with the negation verb) in order to bring the conversation partner or a person outside the conversation, talked about, emotionally closer to the speaker, or to create familiarity into the conversation; also to express that closeness or familiarity—sometimes very difficult to translate well into English, in some cases corresponds the tag questions:

   • Jaksatkos sinä?
     • May you make it maybe?
   • Eikös Saara opiskele oikeustieteitä?
     • Saara studies law, nuh?

4. (enclitic, colloquial) appended to the shortened impersonal indicative present form (-n omitted) to soften the command or request or to make it more persuasive:

   • Tehdääs tämä huomenna.
     • Let's go do this tomorrow.

See also

• -kin
• -kaan / -kään
• -han / -hän
• -ko / -kö
• -pa / -pä

Etymology 3

From apocope of the final vowel of -ssa, -ssä.

Suffix

-s

1. (case suffix, colloquial or dialectal) Alternative form of -ssa

French

Etymology

From Middle French -s, from Old French -s, from the Latin accusative -s.

Pronunciation

• Silent unless liaison is done, then it is realized as IPA^(key): /z/.

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the regular plural of nouns.

   hommes

See also

• -x

German

Etymology 1

From Middle High German, from Old High German.

Alternative forms

• -es
• -ens (proper nouns ending with a sibilant consonant; dated)
• -' (proper nouns ending with a sibilant consonant)
• -'s (proper nouns; correct in certain cases, but often seen as a misspelling)

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the genitive singular of most masculine nouns, neuter nouns, and proper nouns of all genders.

Usage notes

• No simple rule can be given as to whether -s or -es should be used to form the genitive singular. Sometimes only one form is possible; often one is preferable; in other cases both are equally acceptable.

Etymology 2

Probably derived from the genitive -s (etymology 1), but developed into a noun-forming suffix in German Low German and Central German dialects.

Suffix

-s m

1. used to form nouns from verb stems

   klacken → Klacks

   schnappen → Schnaps

Etymology 3

Borrowed from Middle Low German. Reinforced by the fact that French and English also use -s as a plural suffix.

Alternative forms

• -ens (family names ending with a sibilant consonant)

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the plurals of some nouns.
2. Used to form the plurals of personal names, particularly family names.

Usage notes

• The plural ending -s is most typical of loanwords, but it is also used in a considerable number of native words. Moreover, it is the most productive plural marker in contemporary German.

See also

• -s-

Hungarian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ʃ]

Suffix

-s

1. (adjective suffix) Added to a noun to form an adjective meaning "having something, a quality".

   só ‎(“salt”) → sós ‎(“salty”)

2. (noun suffix) Added to a noun to form an occupation or a collective noun.

   hajó ‎(“ship”) → hajós ‎(“sailor”)

3. (number suffix) Added to an ordinal number to form a digit or figure.

   nulla ‎(“zero”) → nullás ‎(“the digit or figure 0”)

Usage notes

• (all senses) Harmonic variants:

  -s is added to words ending in a vowel. Final -a changes to -á-. Final -e changes to -é-.

  -os is added to some back vowel words ending in a consonant

  -as is added to other back vowel words ending in a consonant

  -es is added to unrounded front vowel words ending in a consonant

  -ös is added to rounded front vowel words ending in a consonant

Derived terms

See also

• Appendix:Hungarian suffixes

Manx

Alternative forms

• -ish
• -sh

Suffix

-s

1. -self (emphatic)

Usage notes

• Added to prepositional pronouns (ending in a broad consonant) to add emphasis:
  • Used in first-person singular: (e.g., lhiams).
  • Used in second-person singular: (e.g., orts).

See also

• -yn
• -syn

Northern Sami

Etymology 1

Suffix

-s

1. Forms nouns indicating a material.
2. Forms nouns from numbers, indicating a group.

   golbma ‎(“three”) + ‎-s → ‎golmmas ‎(“group of three”)

Usage notes

This suffix triggers the weak grade on a preceding stressed syllable in the nominative singular and essive, and the strong grade in the other forms.

Inflection

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Suffix

-s

1. Forms adverbs of manner from adjectives.

   buorre ‎(“good”) + ‎-s → ‎bures ‎(“well”)

Usage notes

This suffix triggers the weak grade on a preceding stressed syllable.

Derived terms

Etymology 3

From Proto-Samic *-ksë. Cognate with the Finnish translative ending -ksi.

Suffix

-s

1. Forms adverbs indicating direction or a span of time.

   davvi ‎(“north”) + ‎-s → ‎davás ‎(“northwards”)

   dálvi ‎(“winter”) + ‎-s → ‎dálvvás ‎(“for the winter”)

Usage notes

This suffix triggers the weak grade on a preceding stressed syllable.

Derived terms

Etymology 4

From a merger of two older case endings:

• Inessive, Proto-Samic [Term?] *-snē. Cognate with Finnish -ssa.
• Elative, Proto-Samic [Term?] *-stē. Cognate with Finnish -sta.

Suffix

-s

1. The ending of the locative singular case.

Usage notes

This suffix triggers the weak grade on a preceding stressed syllable.

When possessive suffixes are attached, the suffix reverts to its earlier form -st- (for even-syllable stems) or -stti- (for odd-syllable stems).

Norwegian

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the genitive case of nouns.
2. Used to form the passive of verbs.

Usage notes

• If the genitive noun already ends with a sibilant, only an apostrophe (-') is added. It is incorrect to use an apostrophe before the s.

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *-isjō, *-usjō.

Suffix

-s f

1. (often affects the value or quality of preceding consonants, may or may not cause i-mutation) Feminine noun suffix forming nouns from adjectives and verbs

   milts "mercy" (earlier milds), from milde "gentle, mild"

   liss "grace" (earlier liþs, līþs), from līþe "gentle, limber"

   cwiss (earlier cwiþs) "a saying", from cweþan "to say, speak"

Declension

Old French

Alternative forms

• -z (for most words that don't end in -e)

Suffix

-s

1. indicates a nominative singular of a masculine noun or adjective
2. indicates an oblique plural of a masculine noun or adjective
3. indicates a nominative plural of a feminine noun or adjective
4. indicates an oblique plural of a feminine noun or adjective

Descendants

• Middle French: -s
  • French: -s

Portuguese

Suffix

-s m pl, f pl

1. Used to form the regular plural of nouns which end in vowels.
   • 2007, Lya Wyler (translator), J. K. Rowling (English author), Harry Potter e as Relíquias da Morte (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Rocco, page 308:

     Você notou os cabelos dela, são negros e brilhantes e macios...

     Did you notice her hair, it's dark and bright and soft...

Quechua

Alternative forms

• (after consonants) -si
• -sh

Suffix

-s

1. Evidential suffix, second-hand information. Indicates that the speaker has not directly experienced the information at hand; hearsay

   Qusqumantas kanki.

   (They say that) you are from Cusco.

   Inisqa qayna ñañantas watukusqan.

   Inez visited her sister yesterday (so I heard).

See also

• -m/-mi

Spanish

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the regular plural of nouns which end in vowels.

   amigo ‎(“friend”) → amigos ‎(“friends”)

Swedish

Suffix

-s

1. Used to form the genitive case of nouns.
2. Used to inflect verbs for the passive voice.