New words are formed in two ways:—

(a) By means of suffixes called formatives.

(b) By putting two or more words together.

Those of the first class are called derivatives, and those of the second class compounds.

A derivative may take a further formative, in which case the derivative is called the primitive of the new word. In the following example each preceding word is the primitive or stem of the following derivative:—

This example shows how rich the Hungarian language is in its capacity for forming words and expressing the finer shades of meaning.

The principal formatives only are here given:—

I. Substantives are formed—

(a) By adding -ság, -ség to adjectives.

(b) By adding -ás, -és to verbs.

(c) By adding -as, -es, -os, -ár, -ér to substantives.

(d) All present participles may be used as substantives.

(e) Diminutives of substantives are formed by adding -ka, -ke, ocska, ecske, &c.

II. Adjectives are formed by adding—

(a) -as, -os, -es, -ös to substantives.

(b) -talan or -telen to substantives, creating negatives.

(c) -i, especially to names of places.

(d) Diminutives are formed by adding -s to adjectives ending with a vowel, or -es, -ás, -os to those ending with a consonant.

III. Verbs are formed by adding—

-al, -ol, -el, -oz, -ez to substantives.