XXXI.
Slova zdrobnělá—Diminutives.
Derived words denoting a smaller object or a less degree of quality, are diminutives. The Bohemian language abounds in diminutives of nouns and adjectives. They serve, not to denote smaller objects, but they frequently indicate affection, refinement, endearment. Ex.: dítě, child, děťátko (baby) is not only little child but also dear little child. This is especially true of diminutive adjectives. Hezký is nice, hezoučký is delicately nice.
The diminutives are formed by the addition of suffixes. The stem of the word sometimes suffers a slight change. Various suffixes may indicate different degree of diminution.
Ex.: Hoch, boy; hošík, a small boy; hošíček, a very small boy.
Malý, small; malinký, very small; malilinký, very tiny (Spanish chiquitito).
The diminutive is of the same gender as the original noun. (Ending in -k is masculine, in -ka feminine, in -ko neuter). The usual noun suffixes:
| -ík, | hřeb, nail, | hřebík. |
| -íček, | bratr, brother, | bratříček. |
| -ek, | dům, house, | domek. |
| -eček, | děd, grandfather, | dědeček. |
| -oušek, | stařec, an old man, | staroušek. |
| -ka, | ryba, fish, | rybka. |
| -ička, | teta, aunt, | tetička. |
| -inka, | máma, mother, | maminka. |
| -átko, | zvíře, animal, | zvířátko. |
| -ko, | oko, eye, | očko. |
| -íčko, | psaní, letter, | psaníčko. |
| -élko, | křídlo, wing, | křidélko. |
| -ečko, | kolo, wheel, | kolečko. |
| -énko, | okno, window, | okénko. |