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Learn Spanish: Using Augmentatives in Spanish

Augmentatives in Spanish

Just like diminutives, augmentatives have different uses and there are several augmentative endings. These often convert everyday words into local slang. The most common Spanish Suffixes are: ón/ona, ozo/oza, and ote/ota.

In Spanish, augmentatives are used to express large size or great intensity

Examples:

Grande – big Grandote – huge
Perro – dog Perrote – big dog
Beso – kiss Besote – big kiss

You’ll often hear augmentatives in Spanish when people are very excited about something, especially when telling stories and wanting to exaggerate size, intensity, enthusiasm, etc. A classic Latin American example is:

Gol – a goal, in soccer Golazo – an amazing soccer goal

There are some words that change meanings when an augmentative is used. Here are a few examples:

Caja – box Cajón – drawer
Calle – street Callejón – alley
Colcha – bedspread Colchón – mattress
Rata – rat Ratón – mouse
Cuchara – spoon Cucharón – ladle
Silla – chair Sillón – armchair

Can you think of any other augmentatives in Spanish or augmentative pairs?

Check out these other articles to help you Learn Spanish.

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