Prefixes and Suffixes (Upsarg and Pratyay)

Word Formation in Language I

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Overview

Prefixes and suffixes—called **upsarg** and **pratyay** in Sanskrit-derived grammatical terminology—are the building blocks of word formation in Indian languages and English alike. Understanding how these affixes attach to root words (prakrti or dhatu) is essential for vocabulary expansion, comprehension of unseen passages, and answering grammar-based questions in Language I.

For Assam TET Paper I and II, questions on upsarg and pratyay typically test your ability to identify the affix in a given word, form new words by adding appropriate affixes, or determine how meaning changes when an affix is added. This topic directly supports reading comprehension, as recognising word parts helps decode unfamiliar vocabulary. Expect 2–4 marks from this area, often combined with vocabulary questions.

Mastery requires memorising common prefixes and suffixes, understanding their meanings, and practising word formation. Since Language I can be Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, or English, this guide covers principles applicable across languages with specific examples from Hindi (most commonly examined) and English.

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Key Concepts

• **Root Word (Prakrti/Dhatu)**: The base word to which affixes attach. In Hindi, "लिख" (likh - to write) is a dhatu; in English, "write" is the root.

• **Prefix (Upsarg)**: An affix added **before** the root word. It modifies meaning but usually does not change the grammatical category. Example: "अ + न्याय = अन्याय" (a + nyay = anyay, meaning injustice).

• **Suffix (Pratyay)**: An affix added **after** the root word. It often changes the word class (verb to noun, noun to adjective). Example: "लिख + आवट = लिखावट" (likh + avat = likhavat, meaning handwriting).

• **Tatsam vs Tadbhav Affixes**: In Hindi/Assamese/Bengali, some affixes come directly from Sanskrit (tatsam), while others evolved through Prakrit (tadbhav). Both types appear in exams.

• **Meaning Modification**: Prefixes typically alter meaning—negation (अ/un-), repetition (पुन/re-), direction (प्र/pre-). Suffixes often indicate quality, doer, state, or grammatical function.

• **No Standalone Meaning**: Neither upsarg nor pratyay can stand alone as meaningful words—they must attach to a root.

• **Multiple Affixation**: A single word can have both prefix and suffix. Example: "अ + सफल + ता = असफलता" (a + safal + ta = asafalta, meaning failure).

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Formulas / Key Facts

### Common Hindi Prefixes (Upsarg)

| Upsarg | Meaning | Example | |--------|---------|---------| | अ | negation | अधर्म (irreligion) | | अन | negation before vowel | अनपढ़ (illiterate) | | प्र | forward/excellence | प्रगति (progress) | | अप | bad/away | अपमान (insult) | | सु | good | सुगम (easy) | | दुर/दुस | bad/difficult | दुर्गम (inaccessible) | | वि | special/opposite | विदेश (foreign) | | नि | down/without | निर्धन (poor) | | परि | around | परिवार (family) | | अति | excess | अतिरिक्त (extra) |